GG News Bureau
Washington DC, 4th May. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that it should be an obvious choice for Hamas to agree to a ceasefire deal with Israel, but the reasons behind the Gaza-based militants’ decision-making are unclear.
Hamas, the governing body in the Gaza Strip, has announced that their delegation will return to Cairo on Saturday to continue talks facilitated by Egypt and Qatar aimed at temporarily stopping Israel’s offensive in exchange for the release of hostages.
Blinken mentioned that the only thing preventing a ceasefire in Gaza is Hamas, despite their claim to represent the Palestinian people. He emphasized that accepting the ceasefire should be an easy decision for them.
However, Blinken acknowledged the challenges of negotiating with Hamas, a group considered a terrorist organization by the US and one that Israel aims to eliminate. He noted that the key decision-makers are in Gaza, making direct engagement difficult.
During a forum in Arizona, Blinken discussed his recent visit to the Middle East, where he met with Israeli leaders. He highlighted the importance of protecting civilians in Gaza and expressed concerns about Israel’s military operations in Rafah.
Global criticism of the conflict has increased, with pressure mounting on the Biden administration to address the situation. The war escalated following an attack by Hamas, resulting in significant casualties on both sides.
Saudis Push for Progress in Normalization Talks
Blinken also met with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss potential normalization with Israel. The Crown Prince expressed interest in moving forward quickly, but only if certain conditions are met.
Before the recent attacks by Hamas, Netanyahu had been working towards greater Arab recognition of Israel, with Saudi Arabia being a significant goal. However, Saudi Arabia has emphasized the need for a pathway to a Palestinian state, a stance that has been a point of contention with Israeli leaders.
Blinken believes that a Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel is possible and could lead to greater separation between the two sides. He mentioned that the US is close to finalizing a set of security assurances for Saudi Arabia in exchange for progress in normalization with Israel.
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