US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has urged the Middle Eastern Government to put pressure on Hamas to accept President Joe Biden’s proposal to stop the Gaza war. “My message to the Government and people across the region: If you want a cease-fire, press Hamas to agree, Blinken stated soon before leaving Egypt. If you wish to ease Palestinians’ horrible suffering in Gaza, pressure Hamas to agree. If you want the captives returned, force Hamas to agree,” 

According to Blinken, on Monday, 10 June 2024, Countries in the region and worldwide accepted the three-phase plan, with Hamas being the only party that has not said yes. Israel accepted Biden’s idea, but it was skeptical of its presentation. However, there has been no explicit public approval from the Israeli Government.

Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel’s requirements for the end of the war had not changed. These included Hamas’ total devastation and the freeing of all hostages. Reaching a cease-fire also “opens the path to more durable security, calm, and peace in Gaza; for that, It is critical that we continue to work on plans for the day after,” Blinken said.

For months, Qatar, the United States, and Egypt have been negotiating a cease-fire and exchanging hostages held by the extremist organization for Palestinian inmates in Israel. 

On the first leg of his Middle East tour, Blinken arrived in Cairo on Monday, 10 June 2024, for a meeting with President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi to try to put an end to Israel’s continuing Gaza battle with Hamas.

According to a statement from Egypt’s Presidency, the two discussed collaborative efforts to reach a ceasefire and swap captives and agreed to step up efforts at this time. Al-Sissi emphasized the significance of concerted international efforts to remove barriers to humanitarian aid delivery, end the war, and prevent the crisis from expanding. Blinken intends to visit Israel after his trip to Egypt. His journey is also planned to include Jordan and Qatar and will run until Wednesday, 12 June 2024. (NAN)

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