US Secretary of State Antony Blinken remains hopeful that a ceasefire agreement in Gaza will be reached, although he acknowledged that it may not be finalized before President Joe Biden’s term ends on January 20. Blinken, who has been actively involved in attempts to secure a ceasefire since last year, emphasized that the Biden administration would continue its efforts to achieve a resolution during the remaining weeks of its tenure.
“We will work every minute of every day” to secure a deal, Blinken told reporters in Seoul. While he expressed optimism about reaching an agreement in the coming weeks, he also indicated that, if it does not occur before Biden’s departure, it would eventually be completed under the next administration. Blinken underscored that the plan, which has broad international support, would align with the framework outlined by President Biden.
Meanwhile, indirect talks between Israel and Hamas have resumed in Qatar. A Hamas official stated that the group was prepared to release 34 hostages in the initial phase of a potential deal. However, Blinken noted that a final agreement was still pending, with Hamas needing to make the necessary decisions to bring about a lasting resolution.
The situation remains tense in the region, with violence spilling over into the West Bank. On Monday, gunmen opened fire near a village in the occupied West Bank, killing three Israelis and wounding seven others. Israeli authorities have launched a manhunt for the attackers. The ongoing conflict has led to significant casualties, with at least 818 Palestinians reported dead in the West Bank since the onset of the Gaza war.
