Israel to Pull Troops Out of Gaza, Says Blinken
The US Secretary of State has stated that Washington will not endorse any prolonged occupation of Gaza by Israel. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday that Israel has agreed to withdraw its troops from specific areas of Gaza amid ongoing efforts to establish a ceasefire with the Palestinian group Hamas. This statement followed recent negotiations held in Qatar.
During a press conference in Doha, Blinken addressed inquiries regarding reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had persuaded the US to permit Israel to maintain its military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, which separates Egypt and Gaza. Although he refrained from divulging specific details about the negotiations—mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar—Blinken asserted that “the United States does not accept any long-term occupation of Gaza by Israel.” He emphasized that the current agreement under discussion is “very clear on the schedule and the locations of (Israel Defense Forces) withdrawals from Gaza, and Israel has agreed to that.”
Blinken characterized the latest proposal as “probably the best, possibly the last opportunity” to secure a ceasefire in the ongoing ten-month conflict, pledging that Washington would do “everything possible to get it across the finish line.”
These remarks come in response to reports that Netanyahu informed families of fallen Israeli soldiers that under no circumstances would West Jerusalem relinquish control over the Philadelphi Corridor or the Netzarim Corridor, which links the northern and southern sections of Gaza. He argued that maintaining control of these areas is essential to prevent the smuggling of weapons into the region.
Despite pressure from Israeli negotiators warning Netanyahu that his stance undermines the possibility of a successful deal, he has remained steadfast according to Kan public broadcaster. Blinken also urged both Israel and Hamas to exercise “maximum flexibility” to achieve a ceasefire.
In reaction to Netanyahu's insistence on retaining control over the two corridors, Hamas released a statement on Sunday rejecting the latest terms of the hostage-ceasefire proposal discussed previously, specifically attributing the new obstacles to the Israeli prime minister.
The conflict began on October 7 last year, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,100 fatalities and around 200 hostages taken. In response, Israel's military campaign has reportedly led to over 40,000 deaths and more than 92,000 injuries among Palestinians, as reported by health officials.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
During a press conference in Doha, Blinken addressed inquiries regarding reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had persuaded the US to permit Israel to maintain its military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, which separates Egypt and Gaza. Although he refrained from divulging specific details about the negotiations—mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar—Blinken asserted that “the United States does not accept any long-term occupation of Gaza by Israel.” He emphasized that the current agreement under discussion is “very clear on the schedule and the locations of (Israel Defense Forces) withdrawals from Gaza, and Israel has agreed to that.”
Blinken characterized the latest proposal as “probably the best, possibly the last opportunity” to secure a ceasefire in the ongoing ten-month conflict, pledging that Washington would do “everything possible to get it across the finish line.”
These remarks come in response to reports that Netanyahu informed families of fallen Israeli soldiers that under no circumstances would West Jerusalem relinquish control over the Philadelphi Corridor or the Netzarim Corridor, which links the northern and southern sections of Gaza. He argued that maintaining control of these areas is essential to prevent the smuggling of weapons into the region.
Despite pressure from Israeli negotiators warning Netanyahu that his stance undermines the possibility of a successful deal, he has remained steadfast according to Kan public broadcaster. Blinken also urged both Israel and Hamas to exercise “maximum flexibility” to achieve a ceasefire.
In reaction to Netanyahu's insistence on retaining control over the two corridors, Hamas released a statement on Sunday rejecting the latest terms of the hostage-ceasefire proposal discussed previously, specifically attributing the new obstacles to the Israeli prime minister.
The conflict began on October 7 last year, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,100 fatalities and around 200 hostages taken. In response, Israel's military campaign has reportedly led to over 40,000 deaths and more than 92,000 injuries among Palestinians, as reported by health officials.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
