Israel acknowledges truce proposal – Hamas advances their actions
If Hamas and their leaders genuinely value the Palestinian population they claim to stand for in some capacity, they should agree to this accord and set up a clear plan for its execution, suggested Blinken. Implementing this agreement currently on the table is the "swiftest, most potent, and most successful way" to alleviate the grievous distress the Palestinians are experiencing due to Hamas' attack on October 7 and the subsequent conflict.
Following his meeting with Blinken, Netanyahu's office revealed his intent to secure "the maximum number of living hostages" in the initial phase of the truce plan.
Prior to meeting with Netanyahu, Blinken had consulted with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. He urged both parties not to miss this "potentially final chance" for a truce. "This is a critical juncture," he stated, "perhaps the best, perhaps the last opportunity for a truce and the release of hostages."
Blinken touched down in Israel on a Sunday. This marks his ninth journey to the region since Hamas' attack on Israel and the subsequent conflict in the Gaza Strip ten months ago. On Tuesday, he will visit Egypt, and a trip to Qatar is anticipated shortly thereafter.
Blinken desires a swift accord in the ongoing talks, which resumed on Thursday and Friday in Doha and are expected to continue this week in Cairo. Netanyahu has guaranteed Blinken the participation of a top-tier negotiating team in future rounds to try and conclude this process, Blinken revealed.
The US submitted a new compromise proposition to the warring parties, Israel and Hamas, a few days past. A joint statement by the mediators, the US, Egypt, and Qatar, declared the proposal bridges "remaining disparities."
Over the weekend, President Biden stated the parties were closer to an accord than ever before. On Sunday, he reiterated that negotiations are ongoing. "We're not surrendering," he said, "an accord is still a possibility." Israeli negotiators exhibited "cautious optimism" following the conclusion of the initial round of talks.
Hamas, who did not participate in the Doha talks, described statements about an impending accord as an "illusion." Instead, they labeled it as an "imposition of the American dictate."
The conflict in the Gaza Strip was initiated by Hamas' large-scale attack on Israel on October 7. According to Israeli reports, 1198 individuals were killed and 251 individuals were abducted in the Gaza Strip. Since then, Israel has been executing large-scale military operations in the Gaza Strip. According to figures from the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, which cannot be independently verified, over 40,000 individuals have been killed thus far.
Blinken's visit was marred by new violence: Hamas and the militant Islamic Jihad organization, associated with it, claimed responsibility for a failed attack in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening. Both groups threatened Israel with further attacks. One individual was killed and another injured in the explosion. According to government spokesman David Mencer, the attacker detonated the explosive before reaching a crowded residential area.
The Israeli military announced on Monday that its soldiers were operating in the south and center of the Gaza Strip. The air force had struck "over 45 terror targets" across the Palestinian territories within 24 hours. Later, the military stated that it had "extended" its operations in Khan Yunis and outside of Deir el-Balah. Medical sources told the AFP news agency that an air strike west of Khan Yunis had killed a child and injured several women.
During Blinken's visit to Israel, tensions continued to rise in the Gaza Strip with a failed attack claimed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. This occurred just two days after the Israeli military had conducted extensive operations in the region, resulting in the death of a child and injuring several women in Khan Yunis.
Blinken's mission to the region has been ongoing since Hamas launched a large-scale attack on the Gaza Strip ten months ago, causing significant loss of life and abductions, as reported by Israeli sources.
