ISRAEL’S PM Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted the framework of a ceasefire deal to stop the Gaza war, it was announced last night.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the breakthrough followed three hours of talks.
3
3
But terror group Hamas — whose October 7 massacre and taking of Israeli hostages triggered the conflict — has yet to accept the deal after branding peace moves “an illusion.”
Mr Blinken, who will now lead further talks in Cairo, said he had a “very constructive meeting” with Mr Netanyahu.
The deal had been held up by Hamas demands that Israeli troops must leave the 25-mile coastal strip where it claims 40,000 Palestinians have been killed by the military bombardment in the past ten months.
Israel had advocated its forces stay in two corridors of territory to stop Hamas receiving arms from its backers Iran.
But it appeared to have moved first on the plan.
Mr Blinken said Mr Netanyahu had “confirmed to me that Israel accepts the bridging proposal” first offered by the US last week in Doha.
He added: “It’s now incumbent on Hamas to do the same.”
He said there was an urgency to get it agreed as it is “the best way to make sure the conflict doesn’t spread”.
Mr Netanyahu said he appreciated “the understanding the US showed toward our vital security interests, amid our joint efforts to bring about the releases of our hostages”.
3
