Negotiations between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jerusalem lasted about three hours. This was reported by the office of the head of the Israeli government.
⠀
“The meeting ended, it was positive and in good spirit,” the statement said.
⠀
The office added that “the Prime Minister reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to the latest American proposal for the release of abductees,” which “takes into account Israel’s security needs.”
⠀
On Monday, Blinken met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and called the current round of talks on the Gaza Strip a “last chance” to secure the return of hostages and a ceasefire in the enclave.
⠀
On August 15, a new round of consultations began in Doha aimed at achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by Hamas. A joint statement by Egypt, Qatar and the United States following the consultations noted that the negotiations took place “in a positive atmosphere.” The parties agreed to hold the next meeting in Cairo by the end of this week. As specified, technical groups in the coming days will continue to develop mechanisms for implementing the main points of the agreement, including those relating to the exchange of hostages held in the Gaza Strip for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, as well as the humanitarian situation in the enclave.
