US Secretary of State Says Gaza Ceasefire Agreement 'Very Close'
Antony Blinken expresses optimism about imminent ceasefire and hostages' release as peace efforts continue.
In a significant development in the Middle East, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has declared that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist organization, Hamas, in the Gaza Strip is 'very close.' This announcement was made during a joint press conference with his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, held in Paris.
Negotiations over a ceasefire and the release of hostages have been ongoing for more than a year, facilitated through indirect talks in Qatar, with the United States and Egypt playing pivotal roles alongside Qatar.
The negotiations aim to resolve hostilities that escalated following a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in hostages being held in the Gaza Strip.
Blinken expressed a positive outlook for long-term peace in Lebanon as well, following the commencement of Israeli troop withdrawals from southern Lebanon.
He welcomed the stability of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese Islamist group, nearly a month after its enactment.
'Recently, we observed that more than a third of Israeli forces have withdrawn from Lebanon.
I believe the ceasefire could serve as a bridge towards lasting peace,' Blinken commented.
The United States and France, together with Lebanon, Israel, and the United Nations' Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), form a five-member committee tasked with monitoring the implementation and potential violations of the ceasefire agreement.
This ceasefire, implemented on November 27, followed two months of open conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a group aligned with Iran.
These diplomatic efforts underscore the international community's continued investment in fostering stability in the region and preventing further escalation of conflicts.
Negotiations over a ceasefire and the release of hostages have been ongoing for more than a year, facilitated through indirect talks in Qatar, with the United States and Egypt playing pivotal roles alongside Qatar.
The negotiations aim to resolve hostilities that escalated following a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in hostages being held in the Gaza Strip.
Blinken expressed a positive outlook for long-term peace in Lebanon as well, following the commencement of Israeli troop withdrawals from southern Lebanon.
He welcomed the stability of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese Islamist group, nearly a month after its enactment.
'Recently, we observed that more than a third of Israeli forces have withdrawn from Lebanon.
I believe the ceasefire could serve as a bridge towards lasting peace,' Blinken commented.
The United States and France, together with Lebanon, Israel, and the United Nations' Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), form a five-member committee tasked with monitoring the implementation and potential violations of the ceasefire agreement.
This ceasefire, implemented on November 27, followed two months of open conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a group aligned with Iran.
These diplomatic efforts underscore the international community's continued investment in fostering stability in the region and preventing further escalation of conflicts.
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