The Gaza ceasefire agreement is “now in sight”, the US representative to the UN said

STORY: :: US envoy to United Nations tells members

Gaza ceasefire ‘now under consideration’

:: and urges the body to pressure Hamas

accepting the “linkage proposal” agreed to by Israel

:: August 22, 2024

:: Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador to the United Nations

“Colleagues, Secretary Blinken has just completed his ninth visit to the region since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 and started a war that has caused so much suffering and devastation. The secretary reaffirmed the United States’ strong support for Israel’s security, but also looked to advance talks on a comprehensive ceasefire and hostage release agreement, which is now under consideration.”

“Israel has accepted the link proposal. Now Hamas must do the same. As members of this council, we must speak with one voice and use our leverage to pressure Hamas to accept the link proposal, which includes massive and immediate benefits. for the Palestinians in Gaza and incorporates a number of previous demands by Hamas.”

Months of on-and-off talks have targeted the same issues, but Israel and Hamas have stuck to their demands.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said a link proposal presented last week by the U.S., Qatar and Egypt is consistent with a plan outlined by President Joe Biden in May and approved by the Security Council in June.

The conflict in Gaza has put the entire Middle East region at risk, sparking months of border clashes between Israel and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah movement and threatening a wider escalation in the pull of major powers.