Blinken urges Israel and Hamas to finalise ‘90 percent agreed’ Gaza truce

NEWS WIRES

5 September 2024 at 7:39 pm·1-min read

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday urged Israel and Hamas to finalise a Gaza truce, stating that "90 percent" of a deal is "agreed". Blinken added that the US would offer further ideas via Egypt and Qatar. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied the claim in an interview with Fox News, saying "it's not close".

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday urged both Israel and Hamas to finalize a Gaza truce, standing by US assessments that 90 percent of a deal was ready.

Blinken said that the United States would be offering further ideas in coming days through mediators Egypt and Qatar in hopes of sealing an agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview with Fox News on Thursday denied a US official's assessment that 90 percent of a deal was ready, saying "it's not close."

But Blinken repeated the assessment at a news conference during a visit to Haiti, saying, "I think based on what I've seen, 90 percent is agreed."

"It's really incumbent on both parties to get to yes on these remaining issues," Blinken said.

Blinken did not rule out an agreement before Biden leaves office in January.

(AFP)

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