Blinken to Middle East leaders: Pressure Hamas to agree to ceasefire

(Patria) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the Middle East today as part of Washington's efforts to secure acceptance of a ceasefire plan proposed by President Joe Biden last month.

Blinken spoke in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and later travels to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, reports VOA.

"My message to governments across the region, to people in the region, is: if you want a ceasefire, pressure Hamas to say 'yes'," Blinken told reporters before leaving Egypt.

Sisi stated that it is important to remove obstacles to humanitarian aid for Gaza residents.

The trip will take the top U.S. diplomat also to Qatar and Jordan, where he will attend a conference on humanitarian aid for Gaza.

Blinken said at the start of his new Middle East tour that Hamas is the only one that has not accepted the plan.

U.S. officials said Israel will accept the ceasefire proposal, which includes an initial cessation of hostilities, release of some hostages from Gaza, release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, increased humanitarian aid for Palestinians, withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated areas of Gaza, and return of Palestinian civilians to their homes and neighborhoods.

Hamas has neither accepted nor rejected the plan, which U.S. President Joe Biden publicly outlined more than a week ago.

A draft UN Security Council resolution aims to increase pressure on Hamas, while calling on Hamas and Israel to fully implement the ceasefire agreement "without delay and without conditions," according to the text seen by Voice of America.

"Israel has accepted this proposal, and the Security Council has an opportunity to speak with one voice and call on Hamas to do the same," the U.S. Mission to the UN said late Sunday.

"This would help save lives and end the suffering of civilians in Gaza, as well as the hostages and their families. Council members should not let this opportunity slip away and must speak with one voice in support of this deal."

A vote on the resolution could take place as early as today.

The second phase of the proposed ceasefire agreement envisions a permanent end to hostilities, full withdrawal of Israeli troops, and release of all remaining hostages.

The final phase includes multi-year efforts to reconstruct the Gaza Strip, which has been largely destroyed in eight months of Israeli bombardment.