US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has indicated the United States and mediating partners Egypt and Qatar may make a fresh ceasefire proposal for Israel and Hamas “in the coming days.”
Blinken talked to reporters in Haiti on Thursday about negotiations toward a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
He said that “90% is agreed, but there are a few critical issues that remain where we need to be able to get agreement.”
He said the US, Egypt and Qatar are in “very active discussions.”
He added, “And I expect in the coming days, we will share with Israel, and they’ll share with Hamas our thoughts, three of us on exactly how to resolve the remaining outstanding questions.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is insisting on the continued deployment of Israeli troops in the Philadelphi corridor, a strategically important place in the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt. Hamas rejects any Israeli presence there.
US media outlets earlier reported that the upcoming proposal may be a “final” deal, which means that if Israel and Hamas fail to accept it, that could mark the end of the US-led negotiations.
The US administration under President Joe Biden is expected to strengthen efforts toward agreement between the parties.