US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Hamas to accept an armistice agreement brokered by Egypt and Qatar in order to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. Blinken emphasized the importance of a lasting peace agreement and called on Hamas to release hostages without delay or excuses. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that his country’s army will launch an attack on Rafah regardless of whether a truce is in place, stating that there is no other option but to eliminate Hamas battalions and achieve all operation objectives, including bringing all hostages home. The timing of the operation has not been announced, but civilians are expected to be evacuated. Despite US support for Israel’s military campaign, there has been international pressure placed on Tel Aviv to reconsider its plans for an attack on Rafah, with concerns about potential humanitarian disasters being expressed by various organizations. Negotiations are ongoing as decisions about next steps for all parties involved are pending.
Gaza Conflict: US, Hamas, Israel in Standoff as Tensions Escalate
