Blinken reveals the fastest path to a ceasefire in Gaza

Speaking to Qatar's Al Jazeera channel, Blinken noted that President Biden's proposal has received support from the United Nations (UN), the Arab League, and all countries in the region, including the Palestinian Authority and Israel, but that Hamas has been slow to respond and that its response was not consistent with the approval expressed by other parties.

Blinken claimed that Hamas is attempting to change some of the provisions of the proposal that it had "previously accepted," considering "some to be implementable and others not valid."

Avoiding going into the details of the proposal, Blinken emphasized that he sees "no reason" for the proposal not to be implemented, stating, "Biden's proposal is the fastest and most effective way to reach a ceasefire in Gaza."

Blinken said the most important points of the proposal are an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza, and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.

TRANSMITTED TO EGYPT AND QATAR

Blinken stated that the support Washington, Qatar, and Egypt have given to the current proposal "represents the best guarantee to give confidence to both sides," adding that the broad support for the proposal "reflects the determination of the entire world to end the war."

Biden announced at a press conference held at the White House on May 31 that Israel had put forward a new proposal regarding a ceasefire and hostages in Gaza.

The Hamas leadership reported that it had transmitted its response regarding the ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip announced by Biden to Egypt and Qatar.

In its response to the ceasefire plan, Hamas stated that it prioritizes ending Israel's attacks and occupation of Gaza and that it has "shown a positive approach to an agreement that will end the war."

In the attacks carried out by Israel on the Gaza Strip since October 7, at least 37,202 Palestinians have been killed, including 15,517 children and 10,279 women, and 84,932 people have been injured.

While it is reported that there are still thousands of dead under the rubble, civilian infrastructure is also being destroyed by targeting hospitals and educational institutions where the public has taken shelter.

News Source: AA