U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on both Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas to address the remaining issues that are preventing a final ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Speaking at a press briefing in Haiti on Thursday, Antony Blinken acknowledged that while 90% of the ceasefire deal had been agreed upon, critical gaps still remain, particularly regarding the Philadelphi corridor, a strategic area on the southern border of the Gaza Strip next to Egypt.
The corridor has been a point of contention, with Hamas rejecting any Israeli presence in the area, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained firm that Israel will not withdraw its forces. This disagreement has become one of the primary obstacles to securing a ceasefire, despite ongoing negotiations between Israel, Hamas, and international mediators, including Qatar and Egypt.
Antony Blinken also highlighted unresolved issues concerning the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, which have been a sticking point in the talks. He noted that in the coming days, the U.S., along with Qatar and Egypt, would share proposals with both Israel and Hamas on how to bridge the remaining gaps. This collaboration aims to break the deadlock and move closer to a ceasefire agreement.
President Joe Biden had previously put forth a three-phase ceasefire proposal on May 31, but negotiations have since stalled over these unresolved issues. The proposal focuses on halting hostilities, releasing hostages, and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, progress has been slow due to the conflicting demands from both sides.
Regional opposition has further complicated the negotiations. This week, Turkey, five Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian Authority joined Egypt in rejecting Israel’s demand to keep its troops stationed in the Philadelphi corridor. Despite these challenges, Antony Blinken remained optimistic, stating that the opportunity for a ceasefire still exists.
The latest round of violence began on October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources. Israel’s subsequent military offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, while displacing nearly the entire population of 2.3 million and sparking accusations of genocide, which Israel denies.
As negotiations continue, Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of resolving the outstanding issues to achieve peace and stability in the region.
