Netanyahu 'committed' to own ceasefire proposal: Blinken
The top US diplomat called Hamas' positive response to a UNSC ceasefire resolution a 'hopeful sign' before setting off for a summit with Arab leaders in Jordan
US State Secretary Anthony Blinken said on 11 June that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “reaffirmed his commitment” to an Israeli ceasefire proposal that the US president unveiled late last month.
“I met with Prime Minister Netanyahu last night and he reaffirmed his commitment to the proposal,” Blinken told reporters on Tuesday, the second day of his eighth trip to West Asia since 7 October.
The top US diplomat also said the positive response from Palestinian resistance movement Hamas to a UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution backing the ceasefire deal was a “hopeful sign.” Nevertheless, he stressed that a definitive answer was still needed from Hamas leaders inside the Gaza Strip.
Earlier on Tuesday, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters the movement accepts the UNSC resolution and is ready to negotiate over the details, adding that it was up to Washington to ensure Israel abides by it.
“The US administration is facing a real test to carry out its commitments in compelling the occupation to immediately end the war in an implementation of the UN Security Council resolution,” Abu Zuhri said.
Hamas also issued a statement saying, “The movement would like to emphasize its readiness to cooperate with the mediators to enter into indirect negotiations on the implementation of these principles that are in line with the demands of our people and our resistance.”
Israeli leaders have, for the most part, remained mum on the resolution, with a senior Israeli official saying it “restricts Israel's freedom of action.” “The US accepted very problematic formulations to prevent the Russians from vetoing, and the fact that Algeria supported the proposal tells the whole story.”
After meeting with Israeli leaders, the US state secretary traveled to Jordan, where he will take part in a summit with allied Arab leaders to discuss the Gaza genocide.
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