Blinken (second left) with the Israeli opposition to discuss the file of prisoners detained in Gaza (French)

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken discussed Thursday ways to secure the release of prisoners detained in Gaza with officials in the Israeli war government, the day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statements rejecting some of the demands of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

Blinken met in Tel Aviv with Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, the two former military commanders who joined Netanyahu's government for the war that Israel has been waging since October 7.

Blinken said at the beginning of the meeting that the talks would focus on "the hostages and the strong desire of each of us to see them returned to their families, and on the work that is being done to achieve this goal."

For his part, Gantz assured Blinken that "the most urgent issue, of course, is finding ways to return the hostages." He added, "If this is done, many things can be achieved."

Blinken's current visit is the fifth to the region since the outbreak of the war, and he presented Israel with the Hamas movement's response regarding the deal of prisoners detained through Qatar.

Yesterday, Netanyahu rejected Hamas's demands for a ceasefire as part of a truce agreement, and pledged to expand military operations to include Rafah (south), where more than a million Palestinians were displaced.

Blinken's optimism

As for Blinken, he seemed optimistic about the negotiations and the possibility of improving the agreement and securing the release of prisoners.

Today, Thursday, Egypt and Qatar will hold a new round of talks in Cairo with Hamas.

Blinken also discussed the prisoner file in a meeting with Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid.

Lapid told Blinken, referring to the efforts of the US minister and US officials, “It is good to see the extent of commitment towards the hostages, resolving the situation and finding ways to promote peace, prosperity and, if possible, calm.”

Tel Aviv estimates that there are about 136 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, and at least 29 of them are believed to have been killed, while it holds at least 8,800 Palestinians in its prisons, according to official sources from both sides, but there is no confirmation of the final numbers from both sides.

Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli army has been waging a devastating war with American support on Gaza that, as of yesterday, left more than 27,000 martyrs and more than 67,000 wounded, most of them children and women, according to the Palestinian authorities, and also caused “massive destruction and an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.” According to the United Nations.

Source: French