US still working on revised proposal for Gaza ceasefire deal, State Dept says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Talks over months have so far failed to reach a deal to end war, now in its 12th month.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
WASHINGTON - The United States is still working with mediators Egypt and Qatar to present a revised proposal for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Sept 16.
The department also said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken would travel to Egypt on Sept 16 to discuss the ceasefire and release of hostages with Egyptian officials.
Officials have for weeks said a new proposal would be presented soon for a deal that would include the release of hostages taken from Israel by Palestinian militants Hamas when the war began on Oct 7.
Mr Miller told reporters Washington was working with the mediators on what the proposal will contain and ensuring that “it’s a proposal that can get the parties to an ultimate agreement”.
“I don’t have a timetable for you other than to say that we are working expeditiously to try to develop that proposal,” he added.
Talks over months have so far failed to reach a deal to end war, now in its 12th month, even after US President Joe Biden in June publicly laid out a proposal that Israel had agreed to.
Hamas said last week it is ready to implement a ceasefire based on the previous proposal without any new conditions from any party.
US officials say much of the deal has been agreed upon, but negotiations have been ongoing to clear two main obstacles: Israel’s demand to keep its forces in the Philadelphi corridor to maintain a buffer between Gaza and Egypt, and the specifics of an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Mr Miller confirmed those remained the main sticking points. REUTERS
