Secretary of State Anthony Blinken suggested Friday that a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas is within the “10-yard line.”
His comments came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to visit Washington next week.
“I believe we are within the 10-yard line and moving toward the goal line to reach an agreement that would produce a ceasefire, get the hostages home and put us on a better path to trying to build lasting peace and stability. ” Blink he said Friday during the Aspen Safety Forum.
Netanyahu’s July 24 visit drew intense scrutiny from critics of Israel’s military operation in Gaza, with more than 200 congressional staffers signing a letter protesting his upcoming visit. The US Capitol Police also announced that it will hire more officers ahead of the visit, where he is expected to speak to Congress and meet with President Biden.
Blinken predicted what the discussion between the two leaders could be like at the security conference, highlighting that a “plan for the next day” still needs to be negotiated.
“What we cannot have is an agreement followed by some kind of vacuum”, said the head of the State Department, “if it exists, due to the return of Hamas, which is unacceptable; for Israel prolonging its occupation, which they say they do not want to do and is unacceptable; or just have a vacuum filled by illegality.”
The remarks also come nearly two months since the Biden administration released a three-part proposal outlining steps for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the more than 120 hostages still believed to be held by Hamas. In Aspen, Blinken reiterated that both sides agreed on the president’s framework.
The first phase of the plan calls for a full six-week ceasefire, which would also mean the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of the Gaza Strip and the release of the remaining hostages captured during the October 7 attack on Israel. .
Still, Israel’s legislature approved a resolution Thursday, rejecting the creation of a Palestinian state, a key part of Biden’s plan, according to reports. This measure could serve as a major obstacle to facilitating the agreement.
“I think the best way to respond to this is to just reiterate our firm belief in the power and promise of a two-state solution,” White House communications director John Kirby told reporters.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
