Blinken holds high-stakes meetings in Israel as he ramps up pressure on Hamas to accept ceasefire deal
CNN
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is poised for another round of high-stakes talks in Israel on Wednesday as the US seeks to ratchet up the pressure on Hamas to accept a ceasefire and hostage release deal, while also seeking to forestall an Israeli military offensive in Rafah and further address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is poised for another round of high-stakes talks in Israel on Wednesday as the US seeks to ratchet up the pressure on Hamas to accept a ceasefire and hostage release deal, while also seeking to forestall an Israeli military offensive in Rafah and further address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The top US diplomat arrived in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, following stops in Saudi Arabia and Jordan, capping off his seventh round of shuttle diplomacy in the region since Hamas’ October 7 attack. He is expected to meet with senior Israeli government officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. US officials have signaled some optimism about the potential of reaching an agreement to secure a ceasefire and release of the hostages held by Hamas after Israel put forward what Blinken described Monday as an “extraordinarily generous” proposal. Blinken reiterated Tuesday that he believes a deal is “achievable because the Israelis put a strong proposal on the table” and that the US wants to see such an agreement come together “in the coming days.” Israel “demonstrated that they’re willing to compromise, and now it’s on Hamas,” he said. “No more delays. No more excuses. The time to act is now.” Blinken said the proposed agreement “is the best way, the most effective way, to really deal with the suffering of people and also to create an environment in which we can hopefully move forward to something that’s really sustainable.”
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