Blinken's statement on Gaza: Will a ceasefire be reached?

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that a ceasefire is possible in Gaza, where Israel continues its attacks, and that negotiations are proceeding positively with progress being made.

Speaking to the Al Hadath television channel in Jeddah, the capital of Saudi Arabia, Blinken pointed to the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, saying, "It is getting closer. I think the gap (between the parties in the negotiations) is narrowing, and an agreement is very possible."

Blinken noted that if an agreement is reached, it would alleviate the suffering of the people and provide them with the 'opportunity to take more lasting steps.'

The US Secretary of State said, "We worked very hard with Qatar, Egypt, and Israel to put a strong proposal on the table, and we did that. Hamas did not accept it. They came back with other requests, other demands. Negotiators are working on that right now. But I believe it is doable and necessary."

Stating that a potential agreement would allow more humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, Blinken added, "If Hamas cares at all about the people it claims to represent, it will reach an agreement."

BLINKEN'S SAUDI ARABIA TRIP

Blinken had traveled to Jeddah for official talks, where he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan.

During the meeting with Minister Farhan, the parties discussed the situation in Gaza and the possibility of Israel's attacks on Gaza targeting the city of Rafah.

In the meeting between Mohammed bin Salman and Blinken, they exchanged views on developments in and around the Gaza Strip, efforts to stop military attacks, addressing security and humanitarian impacts, as well as developments of regional and international importance.