US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Thursday for both Israel and Hamas to finalize a truce in Gaza, asserting that a significant portion of the agreement—approximately 90 percent—had already been settled. Speaking during a visit to Haiti, Antony Blinken emphasized that the United States, through mediators Egypt and Qatar, would continue to offer proposals to help close the remaining gaps in the negotiations.
Despite Antony Blinken’s optimistic assessment, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu challenged the US official’s claim, stating that the deal was “not close” and that significant disagreements remained. Netanyahu’s comments, made during an interview with Fox News, underscored the ongoing tensions and complexities involved in reaching a ceasefire agreement.
Antony Blinken reiterated his position at a news conference, underscoring the urgency of finalizing the truce. He warned that every day of delay risks complicating the situation further and could potentially derail what he described as a fragile process. “It is really incumbent on both parties to get to yes on these remaining issues,” Blinken stated, stressing the need for both sides to come to a definitive agreement.
The truce talks have been complicated by several contentious issues, including Israeli demands to maintain a military presence on the border between Gaza and Egypt. Antony Blinken’s remarks also reflected the broader geopolitical context, noting that Netanyahu’s focus on normalizing relations with Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia, could still lead to significant diplomatic breakthroughs if a ceasefire is achieved.
Antony Blinken expressed hope that a ceasefire agreement could be reached before President Joe Biden’s term ends in January, which would also pave the way for advancing normalization efforts with Saudi Arabia. The Secretary of State’s comments reflect a broader US strategy to balance immediate humanitarian concerns in Gaza with long-term diplomatic goals in the region.
As negotiations continue, the situation remains fluid, with ongoing mediation efforts aiming to resolve the outstanding issues and secure a durable ceasefire.
