Netanyahu "Supports US Ceasefire Mediation Plan"... Gaza Strip Tensions Remain

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed a positive response on the 19th (local time) to the U.S. mediation plan regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. However, it remains uncertain whether the Palestinian armed faction Hamas will accept it.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated in a press release after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that "the meeting was positive and the atmosphere was good," adding, "Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's support for the recent U.S. proposal for hostage release." In a broadcast speech, Netanyahu expressed gratitude that "the U.S. showed understanding of our security interests amid joint efforts for hostage release," and emphasized that "at the first stage of the ceasefire agreement, as many surviving hostages as possible must be released."

Secretary Blinken also reiterated at a press conference that Netanyahu accepts the U.S. mediation plan, emphasizing, "Now it is Hamas's turn to do the same."

Earlier, the U.S., Israel, Egypt, and Qatar negotiated a ceasefire and hostage release in the Gaza Strip in Doha, Qatar, on the 15th and 16th, but no significant progress was made. Hamas, which did not participate in the negotiations, declared on the 18th that "differences remain unresolved, and Netanyahu added more conditions, complicating the negotiations further," rejecting the mediation plan.

Blinken stated, "To reach a clear understanding of how to implement the agreement under this mediation plan, everyone must come together," adding, "The next step is for Hamas to agree to it." He also conveyed that Netanyahu announced plans to send a high-level delegation to ceasefire talks scheduled this week in Cairo, Egypt.

However, major foreign media report that there are no signs of reconciliation on the ground, as Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip continue and Hamas announced the resumption of suicide bombings inside Israel for the first time in years. It also remains uncertain how to reconcile the differences between Israel and Hamas. Israel insists that the war cannot end unless Hamas is completely dismantled as a military and political force, while Hamas maintains that it will only accept a permanent ceasefire, not a temporary one.

Blinken also met with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant following Netanyahu. The Defense Ministry reported that Gallant said at the meeting, "We will continue operations in Gaza until we achieve the war objectives of returning hostages and eradicating Hamas." Gallant emphasized the importance of Israel's military pressure on Hamas and the U.S.'s political pressure.

Earlier that morning, Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog, who met with Blinken, blamed Hamas for the deadlock in ceasefire negotiations but expressed hope for progress in talks led by mediators. In response, Blinken pressured for a ceasefire, saying, "This could be a decisive moment and the best, last chance to bring hostages home, achieve a ceasefire, and move everyone toward a better path for lasting peace and security."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.