Israel PM Calls For Mediators to 'Pressure' Hamas on Gaza Deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, 07 January 2024 (reissued 31 March 2024). EPA/RONEN ZVULUN / POOL
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, 07 January 2024 (reissued 31 March 2024). EPA/RONEN ZVULUN / POOL
TT

Israel PM Calls For Mediators to 'Pressure' Hamas on Gaza Deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, 07 January 2024 (reissued 31 March 2024). EPA/RONEN ZVULUN / POOL
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, 07 January 2024 (reissued 31 March 2024). EPA/RONEN ZVULUN / POOL

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Gaza talks mediators the United States, Qatar and Egypt Friday to "pressure" Hamas to accept a deal.

"Israel hopes that their pressure will lead Hamas to accept the May 27 principles, in order for the details of the agreement to be implemented," a statement from his office said, referring to the three-phase plan submitted to US President Joe Biden.

Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha paused on Friday with negotiators to meet again next week seeking an agreement to end fighting between Israel and Hamas and free remaining hostages, as US President Joe Biden said "we're not there yet".

In a joint statement, the US, Qatar and Egypt said Washington had presented a new proposal that built on points of agreement over the past week, closing gaps in a way that could allow rapid implementation of a deal.

Mediators would keep working on the proposal, they said.

"The path is now set for that outcome, saving lives, bringing relief to the people of Gaza, and de-escalating regional tensions," they said in the statement.

On Thursday, Israel and mediators began the latest round in months of talks to end the war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. Palestinian militant group Hamas was not directly involved but was kept briefed on progress.

A senior Hamas official, Izzat al-Rishq, told Reuters Israel "did not abide by what was agreed upon" in earlier talks, citing what mediators had told them.



Blinken Heading to Israel to Press Gaza Truce

FILE PHOTO: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, May 21, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, May 21, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
TT

Blinken Heading to Israel to Press Gaza Truce

FILE PHOTO: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, May 21, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, May 21, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel this weekend to push forward a Gaza ceasefire deal as the United States tries to bridge the gaps in talks in the region, the State Department said.

Blinken will leave Saturday and seek to "conclude the agreement for a ceasefire and release of hostages and detainees through the bridging proposal" presented Friday during talks in Doha by the United States, a State Department statement said.

President Joe Biden earlier Friday said that "we are closer than we have ever been" to a ceasefire in the 10-month-old Gaza war after two days of talks in the Qatari capital Doha.

"This is kind of the final stage -- the end game of the process," a senior US official told reporters on customary condition of anonymity, AFP reported.

The State Department statement said the proposal "would achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of all hostages, ensure humanitarian assistance is distributed throughout Gaza and create the conditions for broader regional stability."

"Secretary Blinken will underscore the critical need for all parties in the region to avoid escalation or any other actions that could undermine the ability to finalize an agreement," it said.

It will be the ninth trip by Blinken to the Middle East since October 7.