Blinken tells Middle East leaders to 'press Hamas to say yes' to ceasefire deal Israel has already committed to
During a visit to Egypt on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called upon leaders in the region to pressure Hamas to agree to the ceasefire deal Israel has already accepted.
“Ten days ago, President Biden put forward a proposal that would produce an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, get all the hostages home, and put us on a path to an enduring resolution to the conflict in Gaza,” Blinken told reporters in Cairo.
“Since the president put the proposal forward, countries throughout the region and around the world, as well as international organizations, have all endorsed it. Israel has accepted it…the only outlier in this moment is Hamas.”
Blinken said that Hamas is preventing the deal from going forward and that regional governments and citizens should “press Hamas” to agree to the deal.
“My message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region, is if you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes,” Blinken said.
“If you want to alleviate the terrible suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, press Hamas to say yes. If you want to get all the hostages home, press Hamas to say yes. If you want to put Israelis and Palestinians alike on the path to more durable peace and security, press Hamas to say yes. If you want to prevent this conflict from spreading, press Hamas to say yes.”
Emphasizing that Hamas is responsible for the continuance of the war, Blinken noted that the terror group's actions are leading to the unnecessary suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.
“Hamas continues to show…a disinterest not only in the well-being and security of Israelis but also of Palestinians.”
Blinken also said he believes most people want a future in which Israelis and Palestinians live in peace, and argued that the ceasefire deal would be an important step towards such a future.
“I believe strongly – this is now my eighth trip to the region since October 7th – that the overwhelming majority of people, whether they’re in Israel, the West Bank, in Gaza, throughout the region, around the world, actually want and believe in a future where Israelis and Palestinians alike can live in peace, in security.”
Blinken’s comments come during his trip to the Middle East region, which includes stops in Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Qatar.
Immediately following his visit to Egypt, Blinken traveled to Jerusalem, where he met with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I met with Prime Minister Netanyahu last night and he reaffirmed his commitment to the proposal,” Blinken said on Tuesday.
Met with @IsraeliPM Netanyahu and Defense Minister @yoavgallant to reiterate the U.S. commitment to the deal on the table that would achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of all hostages, and surge humanitarian aid. pic.twitter.com/Qthqxkv2FU
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) June 11, 2024
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