Blinken visits Tel Aviv: “Israel has accepted US truce plan, now it’s Hamas’ turn”. But for Gallant the operation in Gaza “must continue”

Tel Aviv has accepted the truce plan proposed by the United States. It is Antony Blinken to say this, at the end of the day of talks with Israel that saw him as the protagonist today in Jerusalem. For the US Secretary of State, the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “has changed its position, due to the danger to the security of the country”. Now it must be Hamas, they say in Washington, to countersign the agreement to allow the ceasefire in the Strip and the release of the Israeli hostages. A ceasefire that does not seem destined to last long. During the day Blinken also met Yoav Gallant and the Israeli Defense Minister reiterated that the operation in Gaza must continue “until the objectives of the war are achieved”, namely “the return of the hostages and the dismantling Of Hamas“.

They lasted three hours Bibi’s talks with the US Secretary of Statein a “positive” climate and “good atmosphere,” according to Netanyahu’s office. During the meeting, the prime minister reiterated Israel’s commitment to the US proposal presented to Doha the previous week. Netanyahu informed Blinken that he will send top Israeli negotiators, including the head of the Mossad and the director of the Shin Bet, at the summit of the Cairo this week, with the aim of reaching an agreement.

Speaking to reporters in Tel Aviv, he said that “in a very constructive meeting, Netanyahu confirmed that Israel accepts our mediation offer. Now Hamas should do the same.” Blinken added: “The mediators should come together and complete a process in which will agree on how to implement the commitments which appear in the agreement. These are still complex issues which will require difficult decisions. There is a sense of urgency here and throughout the region to get to the finish line, and get there as soon as possible.”

But the positions of Tel Aviv and Hamas risk remaining distant. The Palestinian organization has set as a condition a permanent ceasefire in the Strip. A position that seems to have been ruled out by the Israeli Defense Minister Gallant. “The Israeli defense apparatus is committed to continue to operate in Gaza until the objectives of the war are achieved: the return of the hostages and the dismantling Of “Hamas”. “The minister stressed the importance of the ongoing military pressure exerted by Israel on Hamas, along with the need for political pressure continues by the United States, until a framework is reached that will allow the return of the hostages to Israel,” the ministry’s office said in a statement, as reported by Times of Israel.