Hamas ‘only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire’: U.S.’s Blinken
The Hindu
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken blames Hamas for Gaza ceasefire delay, highlighting challenges in negotiations with the group.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Hamas was the only holdup to a Gaza ceasefire as the militants prepared to send a delegation back to Cairo on Saturday for talks.
"We wait to see whether, in effect, they can take yes for an answer on the ceasefire and release of hostages," Mr. Blinken said late Friday.
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"The reality in this moment is the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas."
Mr. Blinken pointed to difficulties in negotiating with Hamas, which the United States considers a terrorist group and does not engage with directly and which Israel has vowed to eliminate.
"The leaders of Hamas that we're indirectly engaged with - through the Qataris, through the Egyptians - are, of course, living outside of Gaza," Mr. Blinken said.
"The ultimate decision-makers are the folks who are actually in Gaza itself with whom none of us have direct contact."
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