Israeli Premier Netanyahu committed to Biden-backed Gaza cease-fire proposal, Blinken says

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had "reaffirmed his commitment" to a Gaza cease-fire proposal during their meeting on Monday evening.

"I met with Prime Minister Netanyahu last night, and he reaffirmed his commitment to the proposal," Blinken said according to the Israeli public broadcaster KAN.

He also said Hamas's welcoming of a UN vote on the US-backed cease-fire resolution was a "hopeful" sign.

Blinken, however, noted that Hamas has to clearly approve the cease-fire proposal, saying: "If you want a cease-fire, press Hamas to say yes."

The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution that supports a Gaza cease-fire proposal announced by US President Joe Biden with 14 votes in favor and only Russia's abstention.

The adopted resolution highlights the diplomatic efforts led by Egypt, the US, and Qatar, and welcomes the Biden-backed three-phase proposal on May 31.

The Palestinian group Hamas welcomed the provisions of the UN Security Council resolution and its affirmation of a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the exchange of prisoners, reconstruction, the return of displaced persons to their areas of residence, and the rejection of any demographic changes or reduction in the size of the Gaza Strip, as well as the introduction of necessary aid for the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Israel has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

More than 37,100 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, and nearly 84,700 others injured, according to local health authorities.

Eight months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, whose latest ruling ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its operation in the southern city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar