Blinken: Ceasefire deal needs to happen in coming days, trying to get Hamas on board with ‘bridging proposal’

By Agencies and ToI Staff 20 August 2024, 11:13 pm

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the Gaza ceasefire deal needs to get done in the coming days, adding the United States, Egypt and Qatar will do everything possible to get Hamas on board with the “bridging proposal.”

Blinken, speaking to reporters in Doha, says that once Hamas agrees to the proposal presented by Washington to tackle disagreements blocking a ceasefire deal, they would also have to get agreement on the implementation details. The US has long said it does not accept a long-term occupation of Gaza by Israel, Blinken says.

“Time is of the essence,” the top American diplomat says. “This needs to get done, and it needs to get done in the days ahead, and we will do everything possible to get it across the finish line.”