2024-03-08 17:00:40
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Friday that it is up to the Hamas movement to agree to a ceasefire that allows more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, and to hold talks on a “permanent solution” to the conflict.
A Hamas delegation left talks in Cairo aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement before Ramadan amid concerns regarding an escalation of violence during Ramadan.
Israel and Hamas are exchanging accusations of not reaching an agreement that would oblige Hamas to free some of the hostages it is still holding in exchange for a 40-day truce. Palestinian prisoners in Israel will also be released.
Blinken said before his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan that Washington is still pressing to implement a ceasefire.
Reuters quoted the American official, “The problem is Hamas. The problem is whether or not Hamas will decide to implement a ceasefire that will benefit everyone.”
“The ball is in their court,” he continued. We are working hard on that and we will see what they do.”
In his annual State of the Union address, US President Joe Biden said that he continues to work “non-stop” to reach an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which may last 6 weeks.
Gaza’s children suffer from food scarcity as the war continues
Biden criticized Israel, saying that it “cannot use aid as a bargaining chip” in Gaza.
He said: “I am working non-stop to reach an immediate ceasefire that will last for six weeks,” but he used a “ceasefire” that his administration had been avoiding.
Biden added: “To the leadership of Israel, I say the following: Humanitarian aid cannot be a secondary issue or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives must be the priority.”
The United Nations is testing a military route to deliver aid to northern Gaza
However, the US President reiterated that “Israel has the right to eliminate Hamas.”
He continued: “As we look to the future, the only real solution to this situation is the two-state solution.”
Biden is facing increasing pressure from members of his Democratic Party regarding his support for the attack launched by Israel on Gaza, following the Hamas attacks on October 7.
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