Blinken warns of last chance for Gaza ceasefire
![Secretary of State Antony Blinken](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Antony-Blinken.jpg)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that this could be the “last opportunity” to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by militants.
Mr Blinken spoke at a morning meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog before later holding talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“This is a decisive moment, probably the best, maybe the last opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a ceasefire.
“This is also to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security,” Mr Blinken said in Tel Aviv, noting it was his ninth visit since the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas.
The United States, Egypt and Qatar have been acting as mediators in a series of indirect negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The latest two-day round of talks in Qatar concluded on Friday without a major breakthrough, but negotiations are set to resume in Cairo this week.
“It’s time for it to get done. It’s also time to make sure that no one takes any steps that could derail this process,” Mr Blinken said.
He called for “provocations” and escalatory acts by parties to the conflict to be avoided.
There has been concern for weeks about possible large-scale attacks on Israel from Iran, the Lebanese militia Hezbollah and others.
Mr Blinken noted that U.S. President Joe Biden had deployed more forces to the region “to deter any attacks” against Israel.
One unresolved issue in the ceasefire talks remains the fate of the border between Gaza and Egypt.
Mr Netanyahu has insisted that the Israeli military must continue to control what Israel terms the Philadelphi Corridor, a strip of land separating Gaza from Egypt.
Hamas, on the other hand, has demanded Israel’s full withdrawal from the area as a condition for peace, more than 10 months since the October 7 attacks sparked the conflict.
The plan under discussion initially provided for a complete and unrestricted ceasefire of six weeks.
During this period, a group of hostages held by Hamas would be released.
In return, Palestinians imprisoned in Israel would be released.
After that, the fighting would cease permanently, and the remaining hostages would be released.
In the final phase, the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip would begin.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
![Katsina State](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/1863B29B-AC06-49E0-ADFA-655BBEC3389A.jpeg)
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
![Phil Donahue](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/gfhta.png)
Showbiz
Legendary talk show host Phil Donahue dies at 88
Donahue began his career in broadcasting as a news anchor in Dayton, Ohio.
![Fuel queue](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Fuel-queue-1.jpg)
NationWide
FRSC warns motorists against carrying petrol-filled jerrycans in vehicles
He said the warning became necessary following the persistent fuel scarcity experienced in the state.
![Food stuff (Credit: Ahmed Oluwasanjo/Peoples Gazette)](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Food-stuff.png)
Economy
Minna residents decry rising food prices, lament economic hardship
”The government should do something to help us because I don’t know where we are heading to,” a housewife said.
![Walter Onnoghen](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Walter-Onnoghen.jpg)
NationWide
Appeal Court to hear ex-CJN Onnoghen’s suit challenging his removal from office on Tuesday
The Code of Conduct Tribunal had in 2019 convicted Mr Onnoghen in all the six-count charges of breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
![Humanitarian workers in Nigeria](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/gbfdf.png)
NationWide
FG condemns rise in attacks on humanitarian workers
Mr Ahmed lamented the situation in Nigeria, where between 2020 and 2024, 49 incidents were reported affecting 79 humanitarian workers.
![An image of a LASTMA Officer used to illustrate the story](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/8D9DAE5A-8F2C-48D9-AD2F-B89351333B03.jpeg)
Lagos
LASTMA apprehends hit-and-run trailer driver in Lagos
Mr Adebayo said the driver, operating a trailer owned by Honeywell Flour Mill Plc, was apprehended after hitting a pedestrian who was attempting to cross the motorway.