US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called the recently announced ceasefire between Israel and Hamas a moment of “tremendous relief” for both Israelis and Palestinians. Speaking at a US State Department press briefing on Thursday, Blinken emphasized the historic potential of the agreement and outlined critical steps needed to sustain peace.
“This is a moment of tremendous relief for Israelis and Palestinians alike. It’s also a moment of historic possibility for the region and well beyond. Tremendous effort, political courage, and compromise to realise that possibility, to try to ensure that the gains that have been achieved over the past 15 months at enormous, excruciating cost are actually enduring,” Blinken said.
The ceasefire, which took effect on January 19, is a result of negotiations led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. It includes a phased plan for the release of hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and transitional governance arrangements for Gaza to ensure stability.
Blinken outlined two immediate priorities:
- Full implementation of the ceasefire deal.
- Finalization of a transitional governance and reconstruction plan for Gaza.
He added that achieving these goals would pave the way for Israel and Saudi Arabia to normalize relations, which would require progress toward a credible pathway to a Palestinian state.
“On each of these imperatives, we’ve delivered concrete progress and we’ve laid a foundation for success, which we will hand over to the incoming administration,” he noted.
Ceasefire and Hostage Agreement Details
The ceasefire agreement includes the exchange of hostages and prisoners, with Qatar confirming the deal on Wednesday. US President Joe Biden also announced the successful negotiation, highlighting the diplomatic efforts that involved a coalition of 20 nations.
The deal comprises three phases:
- A complete ceasefire.
- Withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
- Release of hostages, including American citizens.
Following the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held discussions with US President-elect Donald Trump and President Biden to align on the way forward.
The agreement marks the end of a 15-month-long conflict, offering hope for a more integrated and peaceful Middle East.