US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Hamas is the main obstacle to a ceasefire in Gaza. He made these remarks as Hamas prepared for talks in Cairo on Saturday.
"We're waiting to see if they will agree to the ceasefire and release hostages," Blinken said on Friday. "At the moment, Hamas is the only thing preventing peace for the people of Gaza."
Blinken mentioned the challenges of negotiating with Hamas, which the US considers a terrorist group. He noted that the leaders of Hamas, whom they engage with indirectly through Qatar and Egypt, live outside Gaza. The decision-makers in Gaza are inaccessible to direct contact.
Blinken's comments came after his recent visit to the Middle East, where he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu expressed his intent to continue the assault on Rafah in southern Gaza, aiming to eliminate Hamas, regardless of ceasefire negotiations.
The Biden administration has cautioned against such action, urging Israel to provide a credible plan to protect civilians in Rafah. Blinken emphasized that without such a plan, the US cannot support a major military operation in Rafah due to the potential harm to civilians.
In his address at the McCain Institute's Sedona Forum in Arizona, Blinken emphasized the importance of finding a solution that ensures the safety of civilians in Gaza. He reiterated the US commitment to supporting Israel but stressed the need for a proportionate response that minimizes harm to innocent people. Blinken's remarks reflect ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the violence and establish lasting peace in the region.
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