Family members and activists mark the 25th anniversary of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker during a protest calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip outside the Hakirya base in Tel Aviv, on December 18, 2024. (Photo: Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed cautious optimism about the chances of a hostage release with Hamas, noting that external circumstances now made a deal possible.
At the same time, the Washington Post reported that CIA Director Bill Burns had left the Qatari capital, Doha, without progress in the talks, after spending a day there trying to force people across the line. arrived at the negotiations.
Over the past week, reports have suggested that the two sides are brought closer of an agreement, several officials believing that an agreement could be signed in the weeksor even the days to come.
On Wednesday, Mr. Blinken told the Council on Foreign Relations that he was “hopeful,” but he warned that a deal could also fall apart at the last minute.
In an interview with Bloomberg on Thursday, Blinken stressed that Hamas's position was now so bad that it forced the terror group to accept a deal.
“We should logically be able to obtain [l’accord] », declared M. Blinken.
“What has changed is this: Hamas knows that the cavalry will not come to its rescue. For months and months he hoped for a broader war with Hezbollah, with Iran, with Iran-aligned groups that would create more problems for Israel on more fronts and help Hamas survive. “, he said.
“We now know that is not the case, they know that is not the case because of the very important work that has been done with us and with others to confront the unprecedented Iranian attacks on Israel, to confront Hezbollah. So I think that focused minds within Hamas on the need to get this deal done.”
Mr. Blinken added that the United States was in contact with all partners that could have influence on Hamas, “whether it is Qatar, Egypt or Turkey, where I was last week.”
Although no progress was made during Mr. Burns's stay in Doha, the Washington Post reported that a U.S. delegation remained behind to continue talks.
Outstanding issues remain largely the same for months, including disagreements over the number and identity of Palestinian hostages and prisoners who should be freed. Although Hamas has agreed in principle to enter into a ceasefire agreement as long as IDF troops remain in Gaza, discussions continue over when a full withdrawal would begin.
For its part, Israel continues to insist on the right to resume military operations after the first phase of the agreement.
Despite these shortcomings, Mr. Blinken noted that “the fundamental question now is: Is Hamas finally ready to say yes? Is Hamas finally ready to say yes? “.
He added: “If that's the case, we get the hostages back, we get a ceasefire, we get an immediate and dramatic improvement in the lives of the Palestinian children, women and men who are caught in this horrible crossover since October 7, the date of the creation of Hamas. If they really claim to care about the Palestinian people, they will say yes and do it now.”
