‘Time is now’ for Israel-Hamas deal in Gaza – Blinken

Anthony Blinken has told Israel and Hamas to seek deal that will bring about a ceasefire and free the remaining hostages held in Gaza.

The US secretary of state said a deal was on the table and Hama should agree to it. Mediators are waiting on a response from Hamas to the latest deal on the table.

It reportedly involves a 40-day ceasefire and the release of more than 30 hostages in exchange for many more Palestinian prisoners.

“We are determined to get a ceasefire that brings the hostages home and to get it now, and the only reason that that wouldn’t be achieved is because of Hamas,” Blinken said as he met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv.

Spoke with Minister @gantzbe on our efforts to secure the release of hostages through an immediate ceasefire deal. We also discussed our commitment to Israel’s security and the imperative to ensure more humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Gaza.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 1, 2024

“There is a proposal on the table, and as we’ve said, no delays, no excuses. The time is now.”

A senior Hamas official says they are not to blame for delays on reaching a new deal.

Families of the hostages were demonstrating outside and Blinken greeted them, saying setting their loved ones free was “at the heart of everything we’re trying to do”.

About 130 hostages from among 253 kidnapped by Hamas during its unprecedented attack on Israel on 7 October remain unaccounted for. At least 34 of them are presumed dead. The rest have been released or rescued.