US Secretary of State says Israeli suggestion is “generous”; the extremist group is in Egypt to discuss the truce
The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, asked this Monday (April 29, 2024) that Hamas comply “quickly” Israel’s proposal for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip. He stated that the suggestion is “extraordinarily generous”.
According to ReutersIsrael demands the release of at least 40 of the 130 hostages who remain under the control of the extremist group in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned in the country. “The only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas. They have to decide and they have to decide quickly.”said Blinken during a meeting of the World Economic Forum.
Hamas members meet this Monday (April 29) in Cairo, Egypt, to discuss the ceasefire. On Sunday (28 April), the country presented a proposal for a truce between Israel and the group. The idea would be to release 20 Israeli hostages in exchange for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners. To achieve this, the ceasefire would last 3 weeks.
The US secretary also mentioned the opening of new border crossings for the entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. However, he said it is still not enough. “We still need to get more help in and around Gaza. We need to improve conflict resolution with aid workers.”Blinken said, in reference to a mechanism that ensures Israel does not target aid groups during the handover.
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron also defined the Israeli proposal as “generous”.
“I hope Hamas accepts this deal and, frankly, all the pressure in the world and all the eyes in the world should be on them today, saying ‘accept this deal.”said Cameron.
Until Sunday (April 28), the Al Jazeera, the state broadcaster of the Qatari monarchy, recorded 34,945 Palestinian deaths and 1,139 Israelis since the start of the conflict, on October 7, 2023. Among the injured are 82,375 Palestinians and 8,730 Israelis. Information about Gaza is provided by Hamas and there is no way to independently verify it.
