‘No guarantee’ that ceasefire agreement will come through: Blinken
Blinken declined to say what specific changes Hamas was seeking, adding that there was “no guarantee” that the “gaps” between the two sides are “bridgeable” at this point.
“I can’t tell you right now if we [the mediators] will succeed,” said Blinken. “I believe it’s doable. I believe it’s absolutely necessary to do our best.”
‘It’s time for the haggling to stop and for the ceasefire to start’: Blinken
Blinken says negotiators will “try to bridge the gaps” between Israel and Hamas and “bring it to a conclusion.
“Remember, Hamas had this for 12 days, and it’s not like the world stood still for those 12 days; people were suffering for those 12 days,” Blinken said.
“The longer this goes on, the more people will suffer. It’s time for the haggling to stop and for the ceasefire to start; it’s as simple as that. Israel accepted the proposal as it was and as it is, and Hamas didn’t.
“If Hamas continues to say no, I think it will be clear to everyone around the world that it’s on them and that they made a choice to continue a war that they started.”
What a snake, Blinken isn't fit as a negotiator. He's nothing but a propagandist.
Europe will have to come with sanctions as it looks like the US isn't serious about pressing Israel into a ceasefire. They're only interested in blaming Hamas. This is not going to help Biden either. Paving the way for Trump to take the upcoming elections.
Blinken doesn't think it's bridgeable, Sullivan says it's minor changes, yet nobody will actually say what they are
White House’s Sullivan says ceasefire proposal changes from Hamas are ‘minor’
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says changes proposed by Hamas to the ceasefire proposal are minor and the US will work with Egypt and Qatar to bridge gaps in the proposal.
“Many of the proposed changes are minor and not unanticipated. Others differ more substantially from what was outlined in the UN Security Council resolution,” Sullivan said.
Qatari PM highlights need for ‘sovereign Palestinian state’
The Qatari prime minister emphasises the need for a “permanent solution” to the Gaza war rather than simply “temporary measures”. He also said a “just solution” should lead towards the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Such a state should live “side by side” with Israel in peace and security, he said.
