Israel-Gaza war: Blinken says Hamas support for UN-backed ceasefire deal ‘hopeful sign’
- Blinken said a Hamas statement from an official outside Gaza was ‘hopeful’, but definitive word was still needed from Hamas leadership in Gaza
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday a Hamas statement of support for a UN resolution backing a proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza war was a “hopeful sign” though word from the militant group’s leadership in the enclave was vital.
Conversations on plans for Gaza after the Israel-Gaza war ends will continue on Tuesday afternoon and in the next couple of days, Blinken said in Jerusalem after talks with Israeli leaders. “It’s imperative that we have these plans.”
Blinken met Israeli officials on Tuesday in a concerted push to end the eight-month-old war, a day after President Joe Biden’s proposal for a ceasefire was approved by the UN Security Council.
Ahead of Blinken’s trip, Israel and Hamas both repeated hardline positions that have undermined previous mediation to end the fighting, while Israel has pressed on with assaults in central and southern Gaza, among the bloodiest of the war.
On Tuesday, however, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri, who is based outside Gaza, said it accepted the ceasefire resolution and was ready to negotiate over the details, adding that it was up to Washington to ensure that Israel abides by it.
He said Hamas accepted the formula stipulating the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a swap of hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israel.