Blinken: Israel accept proposal to stop war
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Israel to accept the ceasefire proposal presented by President Joe Biden on Friday. According to a statement from department spokesman Matthew Miller, Blinken spoke yesterday with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant about the proposal to reach a full and complete ceasefire in Gaza as part of a hostage deal that would also allow for increased assistance humanitarian aid throughout Gaza. “The secretary praised Israel’s willingness to conclude an agreement and said that the responsibility for its acceptance lies with Hamas,” the statement said. Blinken also stressed that the proposal would “advance Israel’s long-term security interests” and open the possibility “for greater integration in the region,” while reaffirming the United States’ strong commitment to Israel’s security. Last Friday, President Biden made public a proposal for a consensual truce with Israel in which, in three phases, both sides would reach the permanent ceasefire wanted by Hamas and the release of the hostages requested by Benjamin Netanyahu’s executive. Hamas calls for Israel’s commitment to “reach an agreement leading to a global ceasefire, a complete withdrawal from Gaza and the unlimited entry of aid to shelter and assist displaced people.”
