Israel-Hamas ceasefire nearing goal, Blinken says

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday that a long-sought ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas was in sight, saying negotiators were moving toward the goal.

The United States has been working with Qatar and Egypt to try to arrange a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict in order to free hostages held since October 7 and bring more humanitarian aid to the enclave.

Blinken told the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado that Hamas and Israel agreed to the ceasefire framework outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden in May after much pressure and diplomacy, but said some issues needed to be resolved.

“I believe we are within the 10-yard line and moving toward the goal line to reach an agreement that produces a ceasefire, brings the hostages home and puts us on a better path to try to build lasting peace and stability,” Blinken said.

“There are still some issues that need to be resolved, that need to be negotiated. We are doing exactly that.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to travel to Washington next week and address a joint session of the US Congress on July 24. Biden expects to meet him, depending on the president’s recovery from Covid-19, the White House said on Thursday.

Blinken, asked about Netanyahu’s visit, said Washington wanted to see the cease-fire agreement through to the finish line. He added that it was critical that there be a clear plan for what comes next and that discussions with Netanyahu would likely revolve around that.

Israel vowed to eradicate Hamas after the group’s fighters killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in an attack on Oct. 7, according to Israeli records. At least 38,848 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive since then, according to Gaza health officials.