US Secretary of State says Washington will not accept long-term occupation of Palestinian enclave
Israel has agreed to withdraw its troops from parts of Gaza as part of ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire deal with the Palestinian group Hamas, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday after the latest round of talks in Qatar.
Speaking Speaking to reporters in Doha, Blinken was asked to comment on earlier reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had persuaded Washington to allow Israel to keep its troops in the Philadelphi Gap between Egypt and Gaza.
While he did not share any specific details about the ongoing talks, which are being brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, the secretary of state said that “The United States does not accept any long-term occupation of Gaza by Israel,” and that the agreement currently under discussion “a very clear timetable and locations for the withdrawal (of the Israel Defense Forces) from Gaza, and Israel agreed to this.”
Blinken added that the latest proposal “probably the best, possibly the last chance” reach a ceasefire in the 10-month conflict, and said Washington would do “everything possible to cross the finish line.”
His comments come after it emerged this week that Netanyahu told the families of fallen Israeli soldiers that West Jerusalem would under no circumstances leave the Philadelphi Corridor on the border between Gaza and Egypt and the Netzarim Corridor, which runs between the northern and southern parts of the Palestinian enclave. He reportedly argued that the areas must be monitored to prevent weapons from being smuggled into the enclave.
According to public broadcaster Kan, the prime minister refused to give in on the issue, despite demands from Israeli negotiators, who warned Netanyahu that his position was undermining the chances of reaching an agreement.
Blink also it's called both on Israel and on Hamas, in order to have “maximum flexibility” with the aim of reaching a ceasefire agreement.
In light of Netanyahu's insistence on remaining in the two corridors, Hamas issued a statement on Sunday rejecting the latest terms of the ceasefire agreement discussed last week, in particular accusing the Israeli prime minister of creating new obstacles in the negotiations.
The fighting began after the Hamas militant group launched a surprise invasion of southern Israel from Gaza on October 7 last year, killing some 1,100 people and taking 200 hostage. Israel's massive military response has killed more than 40,000 people and injured more than 92,000, according to Palestinian health officials.
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