Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to an American 'bridging proposal' in the issue of hostages following the three-hour-long meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken here in Jerusalem.
Quoting Netanyahu's Office on Monday, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Israel's commitment to the US proposal for hostage release, stressing that the plan answers his security concerns as firmly held by him.
This statement marked the first public declaration by Netanyahu in favor of the recent US proposal.
Blinken termed the meeting with Netanyahu "very constructive" and confirmed that the bridging proposal had been accepted by Israel. He said, "Now it's up to Hamas to respond similarly. Thereafter, the parties involved, with the help of mediators—the United States of America, Egypt, and Qatar—have to work out all the details on how to implement this agreement.".
Moreover, Blinken added that the first step pending was for Hamas to accept the proposal, after which technical negotiators would then have to meet to work out precise details of how the accord would be carried out.
Saturday saw a tentative welcome of the new U.S. proposal by Israel, with the indication from the Prime Minister's office that it contains elements acceptable to Israel.
A US proposal is trying to pin down an agreement that would free hostages in exchange for a cease-fire by the end of the week.
But Hamas said Sunday night the US proposal is rejected, citing Netanyahu's new conditions that are meant to foil negotiations so that fighting will continue in Gaza. The Hamas leadership also claimed the US-backed plan was too close to the Israeli position.
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