Blinken the moment he arrives in Israel (French)

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived in Israel, as part of his fifth tour in the region, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed his commitment to continuing the war in the Gaza Strip, hours after the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) responded to a proposal for a framework for calm and the exchange of prisoners.

Blinken is scheduled to meet with Israeli officials today, Wednesday, to discuss the prisoner exchange deal held in Gaza, the conduct of Israeli military operations in the Strip, and the Israeli vision for the next stage.

The Hamas movement announced that it had delivered its response to the framework agreement to Qatar and Egypt after consulting the movement’s leaders, in addition to the resistance factions.

The movement said that it dealt with the proposal in a positive spirit, to ensure a comprehensive ceasefire, end the aggression, lift the siege, and exchange prisoners.

The French news agency reported that Hamas's demands included a comprehensive ceasefire and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including prominent figures, in exchange for its release of the Israeli prisoners it has been holding in Gaza since the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7th.

US President Joe Biden said that there was "some movement" toward an agreement to release Israeli detainees, describing Hamas' response as "somewhat exaggerated," but said that negotiations would continue.

An extended truce

Earlier, John Kirby, coordinator of strategic policies at the US National Security Council, said, “What we are trying to do in the deal that is being worked on is to reach a long pause.”

He said in his speech: “We aim for a deal that includes stopping the war for a long period.”

He added that the long pause would contribute to the release of detainees, the entry of aid, and a reduction in the level of violence in general.

Blinken stressed that the United States will continue to use all means at its disposal to reach an extended truce during which detainees in Gaza will be released, adding that Washington is committed to using any truce to continue building on the diplomatic path to move forward towards a just and lasting peace.

He also said that he would make every effort to discuss the framework agreement with Israel to renew and expand the truce in Gaza and the release of detainees.

Blinken expressed Washington's appreciation for the partnership with Qatar and its essential role, which he described as indispensable in mediation.

Netanyahu rejected Hamas’ demands and renewed his commitment to continuing the war on Gaza (French)

Israeli refusal

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu anticipated Blinken's meeting by insisting on continuing the war "until the elimination of Hamas."

The Associated Press said that Hamas's two main demands are a complete ceasefire, an end to the aggression against the Palestinian people, and the release of prominent Palestinian prisoners.

The agency indicated that Netanyahu rejected Hamas's demands, and stressed that Israel is committed to continuing its attack until "complete victory" over Hamas and the return of all its detainees. He also rejected American calls to establish a Palestinian state.

Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper quoted unnamed Israeli officials as saying that Hamas said yes to the framework, but set impossible conditions.

According to the officials, Israel will not stop fighting, and they added that Hamas’ response under the current circumstances appears to be a “negative answer,” they said.

Since October 7, the Israeli army has been waging a devastating war on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the death of more than 27,000 martyrs, most of them women and children, in addition to the complete destruction of cities and the displacement and starvation of residents.

Source: Al Jazeera + agencies