Devastation in Gaza as Israel wages struggle on Hamas: Are living updates

3:25 p.m. ET, March 21, 2024

Blinken says “gaps are narrowing” for hostage deal, however tricky demanding situations stay

From The Gentleman Report’s Michael Conte, Kylie Atwood and Jennifer Hansler

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks throughout a press convention in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday, March 21.

Evelyn Hockstein/Pool/Reuters

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the “gaps are narrowing” between Israel and Hamas to get a short lived ceasefire in alternate for the discharge of hostages, however conceded that “there’s nonetheless actual demanding situations.”

“We’ve been running, as you recognize, with Egypt, with Qatar and with Israel to position a robust proposal at the desk. Hamas spoke back to that,” Blinken stated throughout information convention in Cairo, Egypt, with Egyptian Overseas Minister Sameh Shoukry.

Blinken stated he nonetheless believes a deal is imaginable, regardless of “tricky paintings to get there.”

“The groups are running each unmarried day in this,” he stated. “There’s nonetheless actual demanding situations. We’ve closed the gaps however there are nonetheless gaps.”

As Israel prepares for a imaginable operation within the Rafah area of Gaza, Blinken stated the United States believes Hamas “can also be successfully handled with no primary flooring operation in Rafah.” He stated a flooring operation would “be a mistake,” and officers will define choice plans when an Israeli delegation is going to Washington, DC, subsequent week.

In the meantime, Shoukry stated he and Blinken agreed to plot “concrete steps” to extend humanitarian help in Gaza.

The minister said that the United States and Egypt are aligned of their “general rejection of army operations in Rafah.”

The minister added that Egypt would do “no matter is imaginable, no matter is needed to facilitate a cessation of hostilities and an finish to the army process.”