Blinken says he also discussed the polio situation in Gaza with Netanyahu. According to Blinken, Israel has agreed to support efforts to vaccinate children in the region against the virus.
21:15•Updated 21:44
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressured the extremist organization Hamas on Monday to accept a “bridge-building proposal” drawn up by the United States, which aims to resolve the differences between Israel and Hamas on the terms of a ceasefire.
Blinken was previously discussed by the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu with and characterized the meeting as “very constructive”.
– Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed today that Israel accepts the bridge construction proposal, and that he supports it, says Blinken.
– Now it is Hamas’ duty to do the same.
Blinken says he also discussed the polio situation in Gaza with Netanyahu. According to Blinken, Israel has agreed to support efforts to vaccinate children in the region against the virus.
In Gaza last week, the first polio infection in 25 years was found in a ten-month-old baby. Children have not been able to be vaccinated because of Israel’s military operations.
– We are working with the Israeli government, and I believe that we can move forward with the plans in the coming weeks, says Blinken.
The UN already has a detailed plan ready to vaccinate more than 600,000 children. The campaign could be started already this month, but the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres according to this requires a two-week humanitarian ceasefire.
Blinken did not specify how the vaccination campaign would be implemented. He said he had visited Israel’s defense minister by Yoav Gallant with a “detailed” discussion about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Sources: Reuters, AFP
Updated 8/19/2024 at 9:43 p.m.: Added information about discussions between Blinken and the Israeli government regarding the polio situation in Gaza.