The United States is working with Qatar and Egypt to try to arrange a ceasefire in Gaza in order to release the hostages held since October 7 and to get more humanitarian aid into the Strip.
Blinken said at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado that the factions’ movement and Israel agreed to the ceasefire framework set by US President Joe Biden in May following much pressure and diplomacy.
“But there are some issues that need to be resolved,” the US Secretary of State continued.
“I think we are within ten yards of the finish line of reaching an agreement that would lead to a ceasefire, bring the hostages home, and put us on a better path to try to build lasting peace and stability,” Blinken added.
The US Secretary of State explained that “there are still some issues that need to be resolved… that need to be negotiated… and we are in the process of doing exactly that.”
Asked regarding Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, Blinken said the United States wants to reach a ceasefire agreement and that it is important to have a clear plan for what follows and that discussions with Netanyahu are likely to focus on that.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to Washington next week to address a joint session of the US Congress on July 24.
The White House said Thursday that Biden expects to meet with him depending on the president’s recovery from Covid-19.
Source: Agencies
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2024-07-20 15:30:00
