EPA/Lise Aserud
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said today that a long-awaited truce between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas is within sight, adding that negotiators are moving towards the finish line.
Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, Blinken said Hamas and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire framework presented by US President Joseph Biden in May after much wrangling and diplomatic wrangling, but added that some issues needed to be resolved, Reuters reports. .
– I believe that we are on the goal line and we are moving in the right direction towards reaching an agreement that would bring a truce, return the kidnapped hostages to their homes and put us on the path to try to build lasting peace and stability – said Blinken and added that some issues remain to be resolved and that it should be negotiated.
As he emphasized, we are right in the middle of that work.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to Washington next week and address a joint session of the US Congress on July 24. Biden expects to meet with him, depending on whether he recovers from COVID, which was confirmed for him a few days ago, the White House announced.
Blinken, when asked about Netanyahu’s visit, said Washington wanted a cease-fire agreement.
He added that it was crucial to have a clear plan and that talks with Netanyahu would likely focus on an agreement.
The US is working with Qatar and Egypt to reach a ceasefire deal in the Gaza conflict to free hostages held since the conflict began on October 7 and to allow the enclave to receive more humanitarian aid.
Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, whose fighters killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in the first attack on October 7, according to Israeli reports.
At least 38,848 Palestinians have since been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to Gaza health authorities.
Source: www.vesti-online.com
