September 18, 2024 11:43 GMT
US' Blinken Talks Up Ceasefire Despite Prospect Of Deal Receding
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Wires carrying comments from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken following his meeting with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty in Cairo. Says that he discussed with Abelatty 'the importance of getting a Gaza ceasefire deal across the finish line'. Blinken claims 'We've made progress on a ceasefire deal over the past month-and-a-half', and that 'out of 18 paragraphs, 15 are agreed, but remaining issues need to be resolved'. Says that resolution of these 'is more a question of political will.'
- Blinken's comments, as expected, seem boosterish on the prospect of a deal. However, Israel-Hezbollah tensions and the inability of Hamas and Israel to come to terms on the release of hostages, prisoner exchanges, and IDF troop deployments have seemingly scuppered the prospect of a deal in the short term.
- On Levant pager attack: 'The US did not know about these incidents...we're still gathering the facts'. Blinken: 'It is imperative that everyone avoid taking steps that could escalate the conflict'.
- Abdelatty: Hamas 'confirms to the US its full commitment to theMay 27 agreement and July 2 amendments.' This stance would indicate rejection of the US' August'bridging proposal'.
- Says that 'any escalation, including the blasts in Lebanon, delays and puts hurdles against a ceasefire deal'.
- In comments that are seen to have significantly reduced the prospect of a ceasefire any time soon, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has committed to IDF personnel remaining in the Philadelphi corridor dividing Gaza and Egypt, seemingly a situation Cairo will not accept.
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