U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken traveled to Israel for the ninth time since October 7, hoping to conclude a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. This was reported by the Times of Israel, reports UNN.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken traveled Sunday to Israel, where U.S., Egyptian and Qatari mediators are seeking to cement a cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip after two days of talks in Doha
Making his ninth trip to the Middle East since the war in Gaza began following the Palestinian terror group's Oct. 7 attack, Blinken planned to meet with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
It is noted that Israeli negotiators are due to hold further talks in Cairo later on Sunday, while the working groups remain in Doha.
Mediators said the talks were making progress and U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters at the White House on Friday, “We are closer than ever.
Another such summit is reportedly tentatively scheduled, this time in Cairo, for Wednesday or Thursday. U.S. officials have said they intend to finalize the long-awaited deal by the end of this week.
Also on Friday, a senior Biden administration official told reporters, “We have addressed the remaining gaps and filled them in such a way that we believe a deal has now been reached that can be closed, implemented and moved forward.
But Sami Abu Zuhri, a member of Hamas' political bureau, dispelled cautious optimism, telling AFP that signs of progress after two days of talks in Doha were an “illusion”.
US announces "promising start" to Gaza truce talks15.08.2024, 17:41