Blinken: Talks on Gaza, "maybe the last chance" for a ceasefire

2024-08-19 08:28:11, Kosova & Bota CNA

Blinken: Talks on Gaza, "maybe the last chance" for a ceasefire

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. Source, AP

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said on Monday in Israel that the ongoing negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza are "probably the last chance" to reach an agreement to end the war.

"This is a decisive moment - perhaps the best, perhaps the last opportunity to bring the hostages home, to achieve a ceasefire, and to set out on the right path to lasting peace and security," he said. Blinken after the meeting with the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog.

The senior American diplomat said that the President of the United States, Joe Biden, sent him to Israel "to reach this agreement".

"It is time to finish this job. Also, it's time to make sure that no one takes steps that could damage the process," said Blinken.

"We are working to guarantee that there is no escalation, no provocations, that there are no actions that could take away from the achievement of this agreement, or that the conflict escalates in other countries, with a higher intensity."

Blinken, on his ninth visit to the Middle East since the attack by Hamas - a Palestinian group declared a terrorist by the US and other powers - on October 7 in Israel, is expected to meet later on Monday with the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.

As a result of the attack by Hamas militants, over 1,200 people have been killed in the south of Israel and about 240 others have been taken hostage.

About 116 hostages are believed to be still in Gaza, including 42 that the Israeli military believes have been killed.

Israel then launched a campaign in Gaza to destroy Hamas.

As a result of Israel's ground and air offensive in that region, more than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed, Palestinian health authorities report.

The US Secretary of State has described the current situation as "tense" in Israel and has warned against any action that could increase tensions, following threats by Iran and the Lebanese armed group, Hezbollah, to avenge the killings of committed recently against two militant leaders.

Hezog, who has a ceremonial role, has said that the Israelis want to see the return of the hostages "as soon as possible"./ REL