Blinken anticipates a Gaza accord, viewing Hamas as accountable.
In Doha, Blinken mentioned that certain demands put forth by Hamas within the drafted agreement are "achievable while others aren't." It's crucial to assess whether their viewpoints can be more aligned. He voiced a hope that the gap can be closed, noting, "That doesn't imply it'll be bridged, though, as it's up to Hamas."
Blinken emphasized, "The longer this conflict continues, the more intense the suffering will be." He called for an end to the fighting: "Now is the time for the hostilities to cease." Qatar's Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, affirmed their efforts, in conjunction with the US and Egypt, to wrap up this conflict swiftly.
One major distinction between Israel and Hamas current stands is whether a ceasefire should be temporary or permanent.
In response to Biden's proposal from late May, conveyed to Qatar and Egypt on Tuesday, Hamas representative Issat al-Rischk described it as "accountable, serious, and favorable," outlining a path to an agreement. Hamas and the allied Islamic Jihad also stressed "the dire need for a total end to the ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip."
Biden's agenda unveiled at the close of May comprises a ceasefire, Israeli military withdrawal from densely populated territories in the Gaza Strip, and the release of abducted Hamas captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Simultaneously, an investigation commission under the aegis of the UN Human Rights Council has accused both Israel and Hamas, along with various additional Palestinian organizations, of committing war crimes. A report introduced in Geneva indicated "Israel has committed 'crimes against humanity, murder, gender-based persecution, forced displacement, torture, and inhumane and degrading treatment.'"
The Hamas, six other Palestinian groups, and Palestinian civilians featuring in the October 7 attacks on Israel have also allegedly engaged in "deliberate killing, wounding, torturing, abducting, and perpetrating sexual and gender-based violations," detailed the report.
The Gaza War was precipitated by the unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. According to Israeli estimates, 1,194 people perished during this incident, with 251 being held hostage by Islamic militants. 116 of these captives are reportedly still in Hamas custody, with 41 of them presumably dead.
Since then, Israel has been conducting an extensive military operation within the Gaza Strip. Per the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip's health minister (an assertion not independently corroborated), over 37,000 people have been killed.
