US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Monday evening that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed his support for the American proposal to narrow the gaps regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept it. Blinken stated during a press conference in Tel Aviv: "During a very constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu today, he assured me that Israel agrees to the proposal to narrow the gaps. He supports it. It is now Hamas's duty to do the same."
Earlier, Netanyahu held a three-hour meeting with Blinken, which Netanyahu's office described in a statement as "positive and conducted in a good atmosphere." Netanyahu's office further stated: "The Prime Minister reaffirmed Israel's commitment to the latest US proposal regarding the release of our hostages, while taking into account Israel's security needs, which he strongly emphasized." According to Axios, Netanyahu informed the US Secretary of State of his intention to send the negotiating delegation to Cairo.
Blinken and Netanyahu discussed details of the exchange deal currently being negotiated in Doha and Cairo, according to Axios. Blinken emphasized that the discussions for a ceasefire in Gaza are now at a "critical moment" and described the latest diplomatic efforts made by Washington to reach an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) to end the war as "perhaps the best and possibly last opportunity" to return the hostages.
Blinken pointed out that Washington is also working to ensure that there is no escalation in the region amidst concerns of a potential Iranian attack on Israel in response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas's political bureau, in Tehran in July. He added: "I am here as part of an intensive diplomatic effort at the direction of President Biden to try to reach and implement a final agreement... It is time for everyone to reach a stage of approval and not to seek any excuses for rejection."
The US Secretary of State urged both Israel and Hamas not to derail efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza, as the war has continued for more than ten months in the Palestinian enclave. Additionally, Israel agreed to support efforts to vaccinate Gaza's population against polio, after the besieged territory recorded its first case of the disease in 25 years, as confirmed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday. Blinken told reporters: "We are working with the Israeli government on this, and I believe we will be able to move forward with a plan to do so in the coming weeks. It is urgent. It is vital."
