The Israel-Hamas war

The Israel-Hamas war|The negotiations 

Blinken optimistic: "An agreement is very possible"

 

The distance between Israel and Hamas is narrowing in the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire, says US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. 

 

- I think an agreement is very possible, he says according to AP.  

 

In an interview with Saudi Arabian al-Hadath, Blinken says that the US has submitted a proposal for a resolution to the UN Security Council that demands an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.  

 

- We hope that it will be supported by the member states and that this will send a strong signal, says Blinken to al-Hadath.  

 

Blinken is currently on his sixth visit to the region since the war between Israel and Hamas began last fall.

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The reactions
Schumer: Sees no problem with Netanyahu speaking

Republicans in the United States plan to invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress, House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed in an interview with CNBC.

Top Democrat Chuck Schumer, who recently lashed out at Netanyahu and called for new elections in Israel, says he wouldn't mind Netanyahu speaking to both parties.

According to Politico, that would require Schumer's approval, and according to one of the top Democrat's spokespeople, Johnson has not initiated any such discussions.

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Netanyahu attacked Schumer in a speech to Republicans

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued to fuel the rift in US domestic politics as he addressed Republican senators via video link on Wednesday.

The senators expressed their support and were briefed on the war, but according to the New York Times, Netanyahu also spent a good part of his speech attacking Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who last week sharply criticized Netanyahu and called for new elections in Israel.

After all, Netanyahu is said to have offered even the Democrats a conversation, which Schumer has turned down, according to Reuters.

- I care a lot about Israel and its long-term future. If you turn this into party politics, you harm Israel's cause, he says.

Republican Speaker Mike Johnson confirms he is considering inviting Netanyahu to address Congress, although such invitations are usually made with the consent of the majority leader.