U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends the U.S.-Arab Quint Meeting with representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Palestinian Authority, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 29, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a gathering of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Monday, appealed to Hamas to promptly consider an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict and the release of Israeli captives held by the Palestinian militant group.
Hamas representatives were anticipated to engage with Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries in Cairo on Monday to present their response to the phased ceasefire proposition put forth by Israel over the weekend.
Blinken remarked on the perceived generosity of Israel’s proposal, emphasizing that the decision to accept or reject a ceasefire ultimately rests with Hamas, urging a swift resolution. He expressed optimism that Hamas would make the appropriate decision.
According to a source briefed on the negotiations, Israel’s proposal involves the release of fewer than 40 of the approximately 130 captives believed to still be held in Gaza, in exchange for the liberation of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. The subsequent phase of the ceasefire would entail a period of sustained tranquility, representing Israel’s concession to Hamas’ call for a permanent cessation of hostilities.
A total of 253 individuals were captured during a Hamas assault on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties, according to Israeli reports.
A diplomatic source from France indicated alignment on the number of individuals to be released in exchange for Palestinian detainees held in Israeli custody. However, obstacles persist regarding the long-term nature of the ceasefire agreement.
Following the Hamas attack, Israel imposed a comprehensive blockade on Gaza and initiated an aerial and ground offensive resulting in an estimated 34,500 Palestinian fatalities, as reported by Gaza health authorities. Palestinians are grappling with severe shortages of essential supplies, including food, fuel, and medicine, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis brought on by the offensive.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, also present at the WEF meeting in Riyadh, described Israel’s proposal as generous, detailing a 40-day cessation of hostilities and the potential release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners, along with Israeli captives.
Cameron joined other foreign ministers from the U.S., France, Jordan, and Egypt in Riyadh as part of a diplomatic endeavor to end the Gaza conflict.
Secretary Blinken reiterated the U.S.’ stance against endorsing an Israeli ground assault on Rafah without assurances of civilian protection. He met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the pressing need for de-escalation in the region.
Furthermore, Blinken highlighted the collaborative efforts between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia towards normalizing relations between the kingdom and Israel, acknowledging that progress has been disrupted by the Gaza conflict.
To advance normalization, Blinken emphasized the necessity of calm in Gaza and a credible pathway to Palestinian statehood. In return for normalization, Arab states advocate for Israel’s acceptance of a path to Palestinian statehood on territories seized in the 1967 Middle East war, a proposition repeatedly rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, also commented on Monday that an agreement between Washington and Riyadh regarding normalization was nearing completion.
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