© Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK
Syndication: USA TODAY
(Tel Aviv, Israel) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken is urging Hamas to accept Israel’s latest proposal for a ceasefire deal, something he says is very generous. The agreement reportedly includes the release of some of the Israeli hostages, in return Israel will set free thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. There were also be a 40-day pause in fighting. The “New York Times” reports that Israel initially demanded that Hamas release 40 hostages, but lowered that number to 33 believing some of those they want returned may have died in captivity. The second part of the ceasefire deal would include talks about Gaza’s future post war.
The Israel Defense Forces says it still plans to go in the Hamas stronghold of Rafah in Gaza no matter how ceasefire negotiations go. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel cannot achieve it’s goal of eradicating Hamas without going into Rafah to take out Hamas militants hiding out there.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders says he believes the Israeli government is carrying out a “systematic effort” to demolish Gaza. The independent senator noted that more than 30-thousand Palestinians have been killed in the conflict. He says polls show the majority of Americans disagree with Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
