US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the Israel-Hamas ceasefire as a moment of “tremendous relief” for both Israelis and Palestinians. He emphasized that the current administration has made significant progress, laying a solid foundation for peace, which will be handed over to the “incoming administration.”
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Blinken remarked, “This is a moment of tremendous relief for Israelis and Palestinians alike. It’s also a moment of historic possibility for the region and beyond. Tremendous effort, political courage, and compromise were needed to realize this possibility—to ensure that the hard-earned gains of the past 15 months, achieved at an enormous cost, endure.”
He outlined two critical priorities moving forward:
- Fully implementing the ceasefire deal.
- Finalizing an effective plan for Gaza, addressing its transitional governance, security, and reconstruction, ensuring the ceasefire holds.
Blinken also highlighted the broader geopolitical implications, stating, “Delivering on these priorities will create conditions for Israel and Saudi Arabia to normalize relations, which will require a credible pathway to a Palestinian state. We’ve made concrete progress and laid the foundation for success, representing a historic opportunity to advance the long-term interests of the United States and our regional partners.”
On Wednesday, Qatar, Egypt, and the US issued a joint statement confirming that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire and hostage-release deal, set to begin on January 19. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry stated that the agreement involves the exchange of hostages and prisoners.
US President Joe Biden announced the successful negotiation of the ceasefire and the deal’s three-phased structure. It includes a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of hostages, including Americans, in the first phase. Biden also acknowledged the diplomatic efforts of a coalition of 20 countries that supported the negotiations and countered threats from other actors in the region, such as the Houthis.
Following the announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held discussions with US President-elect Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, signaling ongoing collaboration to ensure the deal’s success.
