Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
International

Netanyahu accepts US proposal on hostage deal; Blinken calls on Hamas to do same

Darpan News Desk IANS, 19 Aug, 2024 05:27 PM
  • Netanyahu accepts US proposal on hostage deal; Blinken calls on Hamas to do same

Jerusalem, Aug 20 (IANS) Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to the American 'bridging proposal' on the release of hostages after a three-hour meeting with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jerusalem.

"The Prime Minister reiterated Israel's commitment to the current American proposal on the release of our hostages, which takes into account Israel's security needs, which he strongly insists on," Netanyahu's Office said in a statement on Monday.

The statement marked the first time Netanyahu publicly endorsed the latest US formula.

Blinken termed his meeting with Netanyahu a "very constructive" one and said that the Israeli Prime Minister has confirmed to him that Israel accepts the bridging proposal.

"It's now incumbent on Hamas to do the same. And then the parties, with the help of the mediators – the United States, Egypt, and Qatar – have to come together and complete the process of reaching clear understandings about how they'll implement the commitments that they've made under this agreement," he said.

"But the next important step is for Hamas to say yes and then, in the coming days, for all of the expert negotiators to get together to work on clear understandings on implementing the agreement," Blinken added.

Earlier on Saturday, Israel had cautiously welcomed the new US proposal. The Prime Minister's office had then said that the proposal "contains components that are acceptable to Israel".

The US proposal enables the finalising of a hostages-for-ceasefire deal by the end of this week.

Meanwhile, Hamas on Sunday night rejected the US formula. In its statement, Hamas charged that Netanyahu "sets new conditions and demands" to thwart the talks and prolong the war in Gaza.

The group further claimed that the latest US-backed text was aligned with Israel's demands.

MORE International ARTICLES

A COVID legacy? When doctors say we should still be masking up

A COVID legacy? When doctors say we should still be masking up
Although WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted Friday's declaration "does not mean COVID-19 is over," many people will likely interpret it that way, said Dr. Allison McGeer, infectious diseases specialist and microbiologist at Sinai Health Systems in Toronto.

A COVID legacy? When doctors say we should still be masking up

Drunk Indian-origin driver kills 2 teenagers in US car crash

Drunk Indian-origin driver kills 2 teenagers in US car crash
Amandeep Singh, 34, was driving his 2019 Dodge Ram south in the northbound lanes on North Broadway in Jericho on Wednesday when he smashed into a 2019 Alfa Romeo four-door sedan with four male teens inside.  While two teens -- identified as Drew Hassenbein and Ethan Falkowitz -- were pronounced dead at the scene, the other two, aged 16 and 17, were taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries.

Drunk Indian-origin driver kills 2 teenagers in US car crash

Indian-origin man accused of murdering two men in US parking lot

Indian-origin man accused of murdering two men in US parking lot
Jobanpreet Singh, 21, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on two counts of murder in the first degree on Thursday, the Portland Police Bureau said. Portland police are yet to publicly identify the two men who died. 

Indian-origin man accused of murdering two men in US parking lot

COVID19 no longer a global health emergency: WHO

COVID19 no longer a global health emergency: WHO
But even though the emergency phase is over, he's emphatic the pandemic hasn't ended, noting recent spikes in cases in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.  

COVID19 no longer a global health emergency: WHO

Canadians excited to witness first coronation in 70 years

Canadians excited to witness first coronation in 70 years
Sally Harris from Ottawa says she and other members of the Monarchist League of Canada are hoping to watch the coronation procession under a big Canadian flag and wave at King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla as they go by.

Canadians excited to witness first coronation in 70 years

Distracted driver kills Sikh couple on way to pick up kids in US

Distracted driver kills Sikh couple on way to pick up kids in US
Parminder Singh Bajwa and wife Harpreet Kaur died on the scene last week when their car was hit head-on by a distracted driver apparently reaching for his cell phone, the Washington State Patrol said. The distracted driver, who had suddenly crossed into oncoming traffic, was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Distracted driver kills Sikh couple on way to pick up kids in US