Israel Accepts Latest Cease-Fire Proposal, U.S. Confirms

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted a “bridging proposal” aimed at narrowing the differences between Israel and Hamas on a cease-fire agreement for Gaza. The proposal, which was presented by U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators last week, has yet to receive a response from Hamas, though the group has previously criticized it as being biased in favor of Israel.

Netanyahu’s office confirmed that he had communicated Israel's acceptance of the proposal to Blinken during a three-hour meeting in Jerusalem. This development raises hopes for a potential breakthrough as negotiations are expected to continue in Egypt later this week.

Blinken emphasized the importance of these talks, stating that they may represent “probably the best, maybe the last” opportunity to secure the release of Israeli hostages and to pave the way for lasting peace and security in the region.