US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli President Itzhak Herzog in Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning at the beginning of a new round of negotiations aimed at ceasing fire in Gaza, DPA reports.
The US Secretary of State began a series of meetings with Israeli leaders on Wednesday, discussing ways to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza while repeatedly urging Hamas militants to accept a ceasefire proposal that would release hostages and achieve a cessation of hostilities.
“We are determined to achieve a ceasefire that will bring hostages home, and to achieve this now. And the only reason this cannot be achieved is Hamas,” Blinken said.
According to him, such a proposal is already on the table. He added that “the time for this has come” and there are “no delays or excuses.” Blinken said he plans to discuss these issues with Herzog. Later in Jerusalem, he is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed confidence that “Israel can achieve its goals” without advancing on Rafah against another terrorist group Hamas, which is also supported by Iran.
