After the United States confirmed its expectation of Israel’s approval of a proposed agreement to end the war in Gaza if Hamas agrees, the US State Department reported yesterday, Sunday, that Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Israel’s readiness to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Palestinian territory, indicating that the responsibility for acceptance now lies with Hamas.
This came in two separate phone calls conducted by Blinken with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz, who joined Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an emergency coalition, to discuss the proposed ceasefire in Gaza.
The US minister emphasized to Gallant that the proposed ceasefire would enhance Israel’s security interests in the long term.
Blinken also discussed with Israeli Security Cabinet member Benny Gantz over the phone, affirming that it would provide an opportunity to achieve calm along Israel’s border with Lebanon.
President Biden had announced in a speech on Friday that Israel had proposed a three-stage plan to end the war in Gaza.
The first stage will last for six weeks and includes a complete cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas in Gaza.
He said, “It also includes the release of a number of hostages, including women, elderly, and wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.”
He noted that this stage includes the release of American hostages and the return of the remains of slain hostages to their families.
Also, “civilian Palestinians will return to their homes in all areas of Gaza, including the north of the Strip, and humanitarian aid will flow at a rate of 600 trucks per day,” according to Biden.
