OAN’s Brooke Mallory
4:56 PM – Monday, April 29, 2024
Release of Israeli prisoners held by the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas responsible for the October 7 atrocitiesthand the Israeli-led ceasefire in the Gaza Strip were two key points highlighted by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday.
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Hamas negotiators were scheduled to meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo on Monday to respond to Israel’s proposed ceasefire.
“Hamas has a very, very generous offer up front from the Israeli side,” Blinken said at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh.
“Hamas is the only thing standing between the Gaza residents and a ceasefire. They have to decide, and they have to decide quickly,” he said. “We hope they make the right decision.”
Israel’s offer includes the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel in exchange for the release of fewer than 40 of the approximately 130 hostages believed to be held in the Gaza Strip, according to people familiar with the negotiations. It is said that it was included.
A “period of sustained peace” would be the second phase of the ceasefire, in which Israel would make concessions to Hamas’ demands for the ceasefire to continue.
October 7ththHamas launched an offensive into southern Israel, resulting in the capture of approximately 253 prisoners and at least 1,200 deaths.
French diplomatic sources say the number of hostages to be released in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons is converging. However, there were still issues with extending the ceasefire period.
“We’re not far off from reaching an agreement, but this isn’t the first time,” the official told reporters.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who was in Riyadh for the World Economic Forum, also called Israel’s approach “generous.” He told the WEF audience that the agreement includes a 40-day ceasefire in hostilities and the possible release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in addition to Israeli hostages.
Prime Minister Cameron said: “I want Hamas to accept this deal. Frankly speaking, today there should be all the pressure and all the attention in the world on Hamas to accept that deal.” ” he said.
Prime Minister Cameron had visited Riyadh along with a number of foreign ministers from the United States, France, Jordan and Egypt as part of diplomatic efforts to resolve the Gaza conflict.
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