US Reports Israel Agrees to Cease-Fire, Warns Hamas May Face Final Chance

The United States’ Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has issued a stark warning to Hamas, urging the militant group to consider a cease-fire proposal aimed at alleviating the ongoing conflict with Israel. He indicated that this opportunity might represent Hamas’ last chance to halt the nearly ten-month war.

During his latest visit to the Middle East amid escalating tensions, Blinken informed reporters that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to a new “bridging proposal” designed to facilitate a cease-fire. He emphasized that the responsibility now lies squarely with Hamas.

“This is a decisive moment—probably the best, maybe the last opportunity to get the hostages home, to reach a cease-fire, and to set a pathway towards lasting peace and security,” Blinken stated. His remarks highlight the urgency of securing an agreement to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

When questioned about potential future negotiations should Hamas reject the current proposal, Blinken reassured that the United States would remain committed to the process. “We are never giving up,” he affirmed. However, he also expressed concern about the implications of inaction, noting that with each day that passes without an agreement, the risk of hostages perishing increases and circumstances may arise that could complicate negotiations further.

“The fierce urgency of now—that’s what we’re all feeling,” Blinken continued. He underscored the importance of this moment, suggesting it might be the optimum time to finalize an agreement and bring closure to the ongoing hostilities.

The conflict erupted on October 7, when Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel’s southern regions, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,400 individuals and the capture of approximately 200 hostages. In retaliation, Israel conducted extensive military operations targeting Hamas, reportedly leading to the deaths of at least 40,000 Palestinians, as documented by Gaza’s health ministry.

The violence has devastated the Gaza Strip, leaving nearly all of its two million residents displaced and contributing to a severe humanitarian crisis characterized by widespread disease and starvation.

Last week, President Joe Biden expressed a degree of optimism concerning the possibility of reaching an agreement between Israel and Hamas, suggesting that he hoped a deal could be finalized by the end of this week, according to reports from Axios.

Details regarding the current cease-fire proposal have not been made public, though a source indicated that it aims to reconcile remaining points of disagreement between the two parties. Previous negotiations across recent months have faltered, with both sides failing to reach an agreement despite prior discussions.

A recent bombing in Tel Aviv, claimed by Hamas on Sunday night, has cast a shadow over the ongoing negotiations. This act has raised concerns among observers that it may signal a looming escalation in hostilities.

Hamas has publicly denounced the cease-fire initiative, accusing the United States of exclusively catering to Israeli demands while disregarding the needs of the Palestinian militant group. Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesperson for Hamas, articulated the group’s frustration, stating, “What happened in the last meeting is that the US administration presented a proposal that includes everything Netanyahu wants.”

One of the primary unresolved issues between the two sides pertains to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Philadelphi Corridor, a strip of land acting as a buffer between Gaza and Egypt. In response to inquiries about this matter, Blinken acknowledged that there remain “questions of implementation” that would need to be addressed, contingent upon Hamas agreeing to the proposal.

The international community watches closely as events unfold, hoping for a resolution that can bring much-needed peace and stability to a region fraught with tension.

Source: Business Insider