Gaza war: Israel-Hamas ceasefire close to the goal line, Antony Blinken says
- The US has been working with Qatar and Egypt to reach a deal to free hostages and get more humanitarian aid into Gaza
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday a long-sought ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas was within sight, saying negotiators were “driving toward the goal line”.
The US has been working with Qatar and Egypt to try to arrange a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict to free hostages held since October 7 and get more humanitarian aid into the enclave.
Blinken told the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado that Hamas and Israel had agreed to the ceasefire framework outlined by US President Joe Biden in May after a lot of pushing and diplomacy, but said that some issues needed to be resolved.
“I believe we’re inside the 10-yard line and driving toward the goal line in getting an agreement that would produce a ceasefire, get the hostages home and put us on a better track to trying to build lasting peace and stability,” Blinken said.
“There remains some issues that need to be resolved, that need to be negotiated. We’re in the midst of doing exactly that.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to Washington next week and address a joint session of the US Congress on July 24.