US Remains Hopeful For Palestine: Antony Blinken Tries To Negotiate While Netanyahu Vows To Eliminate Hamas
(MENAFN- Live Mint) "Antony Blinken has emphasised the possibility of a cease-fire and the exchange of hostages between Israel and Hamas. This comes amid ongoing conflict that has escalated over five months, resulting in significant loss and displacement in the region. The conflict has killed more than 27,000 Palestinians so far, AP reported US Secretary of State's fifth trip to the region since October 7 is aimed to mediate and potentially ease tensions through diplomatic means. Despite the challenges, including Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dismissal of Hamas' proposed plan for peace, Blinken remained hopeful about finding common ground Read: Israel-Hamas inch closer to fresh ceasefire plan: 10 things you need to know“While there are some clear non-starters in Hamas' response, we do think it creates space for agreement to be reached, and we will work at that relentlessly until we get there,” Blinken said while not clarifying what the“non-starters” were has, however, outright rejected Hamas' proposition, which sought the release of Palestinians in exchange for hostages. He has called it“delusional”. He believes in applying military force to resolve the current hostage situation in Gaza, sparked by a sudden attack from Hamas Read: Gaza war to stop? Hamas gives 'positive' reply to truce deal; Israel says 'studying it intensely'\"The day after is the day after Hamas. All of Hamas,\" Netanyahu said at a press conference. \"Continued military pressure is a necessary condition for the release of the hostages.\"Blinken, however, saw the negotiations differently. He suggested that, despite the apparent deadlock, the proposals on the table could lead to constructive dialogue.“It's not flipping a light switch. It's not yes or no,” he said Arabia's demandBlinken has consistently said that Israel would have to take“difficult” decisions and settle for a two-state solution to normalise relationship with Saudi Arabia. The solution is also required for the reconstruction of Gaza Read: 'If Donald Trump was in power...': Israeli minister claims Joe Biden 'not fully supporting' war on Hamas in GazaBlinken earlier met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who had emphatically demanded \"a clear, credible, timebound path to the establishment of a Palestinian state.\" Saudi Arabia will normalise its relationship with Israel only after that, Salman added.(With AP inputs)
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