In a significant development in the long-standing Israel-Hamas conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced that a ceasefire deal between the two parties is closer than ever before. Speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington on Tuesday, Blinken revealed that after more than a year of fighting, peace might finally be within reach.
The Final Proposal
Blinken stated that the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have put forward a final proposal for a ceasefire agreement. “The ball is now in Hamas’s court,” he declared, adding, “If Hamas accepts the deal is ready to be concluded and implemented, I believe we will get a ceasefire.”
The top U.S. diplomat also outlined a post-war management plan for Gaza, which includes a reformed Palestinian Authority leading the region with international partners assisting in establishing and running an interim government. Blinken mentioned that the Biden administration would hand over this plan to President-elect Donald Trump’s team, including details of an interim security mission involving international forces and Palestinians.
Hamas’s Response
According to the Associated Press, Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire and the release of dozens of hostages. Officials involved in the negotiations have indicated that the talks are in their final stages, raising hopes for a peaceful resolution.
Israeli Soldiers’ Call for Peace
In an unexpected turn of events, a small group of Israeli soldiers has joined the call for a ceasefire. Approximately 200 soldiers have signed a letter vowing to stop fighting if the Israeli government doesn’t secure a ceasefire agreement. These troops claim that Palestinians were indiscriminately killed during the 15-month-long conflict, with many soldiers being ordered to destroy homes that posed no threat.
Public Support for Hostage Release
On Tuesday night, thousands gathered at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, anticipating a ceasefire deal that would bring back their loved ones. Ninety-four hostages are still being held by Hamas since the October 7, 2023 attack, some 15 months ago. The public plaza, located in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, has become a camp for the families of the hostages, symbolizing the human cost of the prolonged conflict.
