Blinken Calls for Swift Hamas Acceptance of Israeli Cease-fire Proposal
On Monday, during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Hamas to quickly agree to an Israeli truce proposal aimed at ending the current conflict in Gaza. The proposal, characterized by Blinken as “extraordinarily generous,” involves a two-phased approach to cease-fire and hostage release, which Israel laid out over the past weekend.
In the initial phase, Israel has offered to release a portion of the approximately 130 Israeli hostages believed to still be held by Hamas. This offer includes the release of fewer than 40 hostages in exchange for the release of a similar number of Palestinians currently imprisoned in Israel. The proposal aims to pave the way for a “period of sustained calm,” responding to Hamas’ call for a permanent cease-fire.
The urgent call for acceptance comes as Hamas negotiators are expected to meet with Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Cairo to deliver their response. Blinken emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a cease-fire is Hamas. They have to decide, and they have to decide quickly.” He added, “I’m hopeful that they will make the right decision.”
Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Cameron and representatives from Egypt, Jordan, and France, present at the Riyadh summit, have also echoed the sentiment that Hamas should accept this cease-fire proposal.
