Gaza War: Blinken: Gaza deal closer “than ever before” – Waiting for Hamas

An agreement on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip is closer than “ever before,” according to the US government. The ball is now in Hamas’s court, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the US capital Washington. “At this moment, as we sit here, we are waiting for the final word from Hamas on their consent.” Blinken said he assumed an agreement would be reached. However, the US Secretary of State left it open whether this could be achieved before the handover of power to the future US President Donald Trump next Monday.

According to Israeli media, a three-stage plan for a ceasefire has been drawn up in the Qatari capital Doha. According to the Israeli TV station Channel 13, the plan calls for a 42-day break in fighting in the first phase. During this time, 33 hostages will be released, most of whom are still alive, while the bodies of the others will be handed over, it was said.

Protesters disrupt Blinken’s speech

Blinken was interrupted several times by protesters during his speech. “You will forever be known as the foreign minister of genocide. You have the blood of hundreds of thousands of innocent people on your hands,” shouted a protester, referring to the situation in the Gaza Strip. “Thank you. I respect your views. Allow me to share mine,” Blinken responded. Another protester called Blinken a “war criminal” and a “monster.” Referring to the situation in the Middle East, Blinken later said: “I wish I could stand here today and tell you with certainty that we made every decision right. But I can’t.”

Blinken talks about the future of the Gaza Strip

In his speech, Blinken once again presented a plan for the future of the Gaza Strip. The following principles are central to this: a “new Palestinian-led government that unites the Gaza Strip with the West Bank” and is subordinate to the Palestinian Authority, “no Israeli military occupation of the Gaza Strip”, “no reduction in the size of the Gaza Strip” and “no attempt to make it smaller”. “to besiege or block the conflict”. The population there should not be forcibly displaced either. There must be a “sustainable mechanism for recovery and reconstruction,” demanded Blinken.