United States Secretary of State, This Wednesday, Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. as part of a regional tour by an American official to promote a truce between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.

The two politicians held a private meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem before speaking at the meeting they will attend. representatives of the governments of both countries, including both Israeli ambassadors and ministers.

Shortly before this, the Secretary of State met this morning in Tel Aviv with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, to which he reaffirmed his commitment to reaching a truce agreement “now” and blamed Hamas if it did not reach this agreement.

“We are determined to achieve a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home. and achieve it now. And the only reason this won’t happen is Hamas. There is an offer on the table. And as we said, no delays, no excuses. The time has come,” Blinken said, according to a statement from the Israeli presidential spokesman.

Moreover, the US Secretary of State also wanted remember the people of Gaza “suffering in the crossfire provoked by Hamas” according to the statement, and assured that they are working to ensure they have access to food, medicine, water and shelter.

Before leaving for Jerusalem, Blinken addressed a group of protesters in front of his hotel in Tel Aviv and told them that Gaza truce proposal presented by Hamas is ‘very smart’ and that the Palestinian group “must say yes.”

“There is a very smart proposal on the table now. Hamas must say yes “This has to happen,” Blinken said, as quoted by the liberal Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

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Blinken, who arrived in Israel last night as part of his regional tour to promote a second ceasefire – after nearly seven months of war in Gaza and more than 34,500 deaths – insisted that the group, which carried signs asking for help to liberate hostages that the USA He will not rest until the abductees return.

“We will not rest, we will not stop until you are reunited with your loved ones, so please stay strong, keep the faith, we will be with you every day until we get there,” Blinken said. during his seventh visit to the region after the Hamas attack on October 7.

(EFE)