Blinken On Hamas' Ceasefire Response: Some Changes Workable, Some Not

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaking in Qatar regarding Hamas' response to the US-drafted, UN-backed ceasefire proposal in Gaza. Says, "Hamas proposed many changes to the proposal on the table. We discussed these changes yesterday and today with the Egyptians and the Qataris. Some of the changes are workable and some are not workable."

• Blinken: "Hamas could answer in one word - yes. Instead, they waited two weeks and proposed more changes, some of which go further than the positions they previously presented. As a result the war continues. In the coming days we will continue to work with Egypt and Qatar to achieve a deal".
• Blinken says that "Hamas cannot and will not be allowed to decide the future for the region."
• Israel has indicated that it would accept the US' proposal as it would enable it to achieve its aims for the war, primarily "destroying Hamas’s military and governing capabilities".
• PM Benjamin Netanyahu remains under pressure from the ultranationalist right of his gov't to continue the war. Following the withdrawal of Benny Gantz's moderate National Unity party, Netanyahu is reliant on the Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's parties to maintain a majority in the Knesset. Without their support the gov't risks collapse.