Blinken signals optimism that Gaza cease-fire within reach

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Jul 19, 2024

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks das he meets with G7 Foreign Ministers during NATO's 75th anniversary summit in Washington, DC, on July 11, 2024. — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during NATO's 75th anniversary summit in Washington, DC, on July 11, 2024. — SAMUEL CORUM/AFP via Getty Images

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WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced cautious optimism Friday that Hamas and Israel are close to reaching an agreement that would end the fighting in the Gaza Strip and return the remaining hostages.

“I believe we're inside the 10 yard line, and driving toward the goal line and getting an agreement that would produce a cease-fire, get the hostages home and put us on a better track to trying to build lasting peace and stability," Blinken said at the annual Aspen Security Forum in Colorado.

“We also know that with anything, the last 10 yards are often the hardest,” he added.

Both Israel and the Palestinian militant group have agreed to the broad outline of a deal made public by President Joe Biden on May 31 that would involve the release of the remaining 120 living and dead hostages.