In Israel, Blinken blames Hamas for hostage deal holdup, Gaza humanitarian crisis
The US Secretary of State said that there would be no delays and no excuses during a meeting with President Herzog. Diplomats will also meet the war leadership and visit Kerem Shalom, Ashdod Port, as well as Kerem Shalom.
On Wednesday, while standing alongside President Isaac Herzog at the United States Embassy in Jerusalem, Secretary of State Antony Blinken blamed Hamas directly for the lack of progress made since November to resolve the hostage crisis.
The top US diplomat who is visiting Israel for the 7th time since the Hamas terror attack in October said that the Gaza terror group is the “only reason” that this goal would not be reached.
“No delays, no excuses,” said Blinken. The time has come.
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An Israeli official told The Times of Israel that Israel made its latest offer through Egyptian mediators to Hamas late last week. It is now waiting for a response on Wednesday evening.
According to a report by the Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar, Israel’s first offer would release at least 33 hostages. Later stages would bring about a lasting calm and possibly a full withdrawal of IDF forces.
According to reports, the first phase of the agreement, which will last for 40 days, involves the gradual withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from certain parts of Gaza Strip to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered and civilians to return to their homes.
The Prime Minister’s Office refused to comment on the Report.
Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, said Blinken’s comments accusing the terror group of failing to reach an agreement were an attempt by Blinken to pressure it and absolve Israel.
Abu Zuhri told Reuters as well that the group is still evaluating the recent truce proposal.
Blinken, who had previously criticized Israeli policies, now blames Hamas as well for the suffering of Gazans. “We must also be focused on the people in Gaza, who are suffering under this Hamas-made crossfire, and focus on getting them the help they need – the food, the medicine, the water, or the shelter.”
Herzog, in a statement released ahead of the meeting, criticized the possibility of the International Criminal Court at The Hague issuing arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.
Herzog said, “Our enemies and others are trying to undermine the whole process by using the international legal forums which were established to create a world that seeks peace and promotes the values and standards that we all hold dear in the modern age.” “Especially efforts made at the International Criminal Court.”
Herzog said, “Israel has an extremely strong legal system and adjudication system. It has taken legal action from the highest authorities of this country [against] anyone else.”
Blinken, who had previously visited Jordan and Saudi Arabia, arrived in Israel Tuesday evening to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The top US diplomat will meet with Defense Minister Yoav Galant at Kerem Shalom Crossing in the morning and National Security Advisor Tzachi Haengbi at Ashdod port in the afternoon, to discuss humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Blinken, who was on tour in Washington, emphasized that Washington had intensified its pressure to Hamas for a deal.
Blinken, a reporter in Jordan told the press: “Now it is on Hamas.” No more excuses, no more delays… We want this agreement to come together in the next few days.
He told reporters in Amman that a truce was “the most effective” way to ease the suffering of the civilians trapped in Gaza.
Blinken accompanied a convoy of Jordanian trucks carrying aid to Gaza via the Erez Crossing, reopened by Israel. He urged the redoubling of aid efforts.
He said that “it is a real and important progression, but there’s still more to do.”
Israel has dramatically increased its humanitarian aid to Gaza following the April 1 attack on World Central Kitchen workers. However, the situation is still dire. The United Nations warns of an imminent famine and that the vast majority of residents are now fleeing their homes.
Cyprus said that a floating pier built by the US on Gaza’s coastline is expected to be finished later this week. The nation will receive aid via a “maritime route” through Cyprus.
Blinken stated that the pier “significantly increased the assistance”, but it was not “a replacement” for greater access overland.
129 hostages taken by Hamas in October remain in Gaza, but not all are alive.
Troops have rescued three hostages alive. They have also recovered the bodies of twelve hostages, including those who were mistakenly murdered by the military.
Israel Defense Forces confirmed that 34 people still being held by Hamas have died, citing fresh intelligence and information obtained by troops in Gaza.
Since October 7, another person has been reported missing, and it is not known what happened to them.
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