Photo: Antony Blinken and Benjamin Netanyahu< /p>
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on senior Israeli officials to develop and implement a plan for the post-war reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
At the same time, he called on the international community to put pressure on Hamas to agree to the ceasefire proposal recently supported by the UN Security Council, reports Associated Press.
During his latest trip to the Middle East, his eighth since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant.
He earlier held talks in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, seeking to advance a proposal that was in jeopardy following Israel's operation to free the hostages. The operation resulted in the deaths of many Palestinians and caused upheaval within the Israeli government.
The State Department said Blinken told Netanyahu that“The United States and other world leaders will support a comprehensive proposal outlined by President Biden that would lead to an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of all hostages, and a significant and sustained increase in humanitarian aid for distribution throughout the Gaza Strip..
After the UN Security Council adopted a US-proposed resolution supporting the ceasefire proposal, Hamas said it welcomed the move and was ready to work with mediators in direct negotiations with Israel to implement it.
However, the militant group has not yet given an official response to the proposal received ten days ago.
Blinken again called on Hamas to accept it, saying it has broad international support and noting that Israel has accepted it, although Netanyahu has expressed skepticism.
"I know there are those who are pessimistic assess prospects– Blinken told reporters before leaving Cairo for Israel. – This is understandable. Hamas continues to demonstrate extraordinary cynicism in its actions, disinterest in the well-being and security of not only Israelis, but also Palestinians..
Netanyahu and his government have resisted calls to develop a plan for the post-war future that does not include an Israeli presence in the enclave for security purposes.
Blinken said he would call on Israel to put forward alternatives that would be acceptable.
< p>"It will be very great if Israel comes up with its own ideas on this issue, and I will talk to the government about it– Blinken said. – But one way or another, we must have these plans, we must have them in place, we must be ready to act if we want to take advantage of the ceasefire.
The three-stage plan provides for the release of some of the hostages and a temporary pause in hostilities, which will last as long as necessary, to negotiate a second phase. The second stage aims to release all remaining hostages, “a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip” and “a permanent cessation of hostilities.” The third stage involves the restoration of Gaza.
Prepared by: Sergey Daga