In Israel, Blinken Seeks Ceasefire, Hostage Release, Says Hamas ‘Obstacle to Deal’

By Yoni Weiss

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is urging both Israel and Hamas to promptly move forward with a ceasefire agreement, emphasizing that the timing is critical.

During his meeting with Israeli leaders on Wednesday, Blinken stressed the urgency of reaching a deal that would not only secure the release of hostages but also bring about a ceasefire in the nearly seven months of war in Gaza.

Blinken noted that Hamas would be held accountable if the efforts to establish a deal faltered.

This marks Blinken’s seventh visit to the region since the outbreak of the war in October. His primary objective is to broker a deal between Israel and Hamas, with the aim of preventing an Israeli incursion into Rafah.

While the current negotiations show promise, a significant point of contention remains unresolved — whether the war should end as part of the emerging agreement.

“We are resolute in our determination to secure a ceasefire that brings the hostages home, and to achieve it promptly. Any failure to achieve this would be solely attributable to Hamas,” Blinken affirmed during his meeting with President Yitzchak Herzog in Tel Aviv.

He further emphasized, “There is a proposal on the table, and as we’ve made clear, no delays, no excuses. The time for action is now.”

Following his discussions with Herzog and meetings with families of Americans held by Hamas, Blinken briefly interacted with demonstrators outside his hotel. The protesters called for an immediate release of the hostages and urged Blinken to advocate their cause to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, whom Blinken is scheduled to meet later in the day.

As Blinken concludes his regional visit, which included stops in Saudi Arabia and Jordan, he has consistently urged Hamas to accept the latest proposal, describing it as “extremely generous” on Israel’s part.

The proposed agreement, facilitated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, entails the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for a six-week cessation of hostilities in the initial phase. Furthermore, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel would be freed, including individuals serving lengthy sentences.

However, a major obstacle remains regarding the subsequent steps.

While progress in the negotiations seemed promising, Hamas has requested clarity on the terms of the latest ceasefire proposal, a demand that could potentially impede progress, according to an Egyptian official with close ties to the talks. Hamas seeks explicit terms regarding the unconditional return of displaced individuals to northern Gaza and assurance that the second phase of the agreement will address the gradual and complete withdrawal of all Israeli troops from the entire Gaza Strip.

The current proposal lacks clarity on who would be permitted to return north and the criteria for such decisions, the official added.