Israeli President Blames Hamas For Failure Of Ceasefire Deal When Receiving US Foreign Minister

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. (Twitter/@Isaac_Herzog)

JAKARTA - Israeli President Isaac Herzog blamed Hamas for the failure to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, when he received US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Monday.

Together with Qatar and Egypt, the US has become the mediator of indirect negotiations to realize the ceasefire of the conflict in Gaza. Marathon negotiations have been held, but no agreement has yet been made.

"People should understand that this started with Hamas' refusal to move forward," said President Herzog, as reported by The Times of Israel August 19.

"We still really hope we can move forward in the negotiations held by the mediators," he added, thanking the United States, Egypt, and Qatar for their efforts.

President Herzog also thanked US President Joe Biden for "showing and projecting power in the region" in the face of Iran's threats.

"You have gathered a very strong and impressive coalition from the army, navy, and forces here to protect the interests of a coalition of countries that want to move towards better peace and future in the Middle East, against an evil empire, which began and originated in Tehran," said President Herzog.

As previously reported, Foreign Minister Blinken will intensify US diplomatic pressure to ensure negotiators get a breakthrough this weekend, after the US submitted a proposal bridging last week, believed by middle countries to close the gap among the warring parties.

After last week's talk in Doha, Qatar, which was judged to have made a lot of progress, talks will be held this week in Cairo, Egypt.

"This is a decisive moment, perhaps the best, perhaps the last chance to bring the hostages home, to reach a ceasefire and put everyone on a better path to lasting peace and security," Foreign Minister Blinken said.

Ten months have been running since the latest conflict in Gaza broke out on October 3, 2023, the death toll of Palestinians in Gaza has reached 40,099, while 92,609 others have been injured, according to local medical authorities, quoted from WAFA.