Blinken Says Ceasefire In Gaza Is Near, Handed Over To Trump's Government If It's Not Over

JAKARTA - United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the ceasefire and the conflict hostage deal in the Gaza Strip, Palestine was very close, but said it would be handed over to the government of President-elect Donald Trump if it could not be completed on time.

This was said by Foreign Minister Blinken during an effort to reach an agreement between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel. Last week, indirect negotiations with Qatar, Egypt and the US mediators resumed in Doha.

In addition, President Joe Biden's administration will also end soon, with US President-elect Trump to be sworn in on January 20.

"I hope we can finish it in the remaining time, but if not, then the plan proposed by President (Joe) Biden for a ceasefire-taking deal will be handed over to the upcoming government," Foreign Minister Blinken said in a press statement with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris on Wednesday. , reported The Times of Israel January 9th.

"I'm sure that when we get that deal and we're going to get it it will be based on a plan President Biden put forward to the world in May," he added.

Foreign Minister Blinken further said President Biden's Administration had spent much time advancing postwar Gaza management initiatives that included security arrangements, administration and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

"There too, we are ready to hand it over to the government (Trump) so they can do it and run it when they get the chance," he said.

On the occasion he also highlighted the work President Biden's Administration has done to secure a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

"All of that is ready to be implemented if there is an opportunity, with a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as an understanding of the path forward for Palestine," Foreign Minister Blinken said.

"So, there's an incredible opportunity there," he concluded.

It is known that ceasefire talks and the release of indirect hostages between Israel and Hamas resumed in Doha, Qatar last week with the mediation of the United States, Qatar and Egypt.

Separately, medical sources in Gaza on Wednesday said the death toll from Palestinians in Gaza since the latest conflict broke out on October 7, 2023, had reached 45,936, while injuries reached 109,274, the majority of women and children, quoted from WAFA.