Thu Sep 19 07:27:35 UTC 2024: ## US, Egypt Push for Gaza Ceasefire Deal Despite Stalemate

**Cairo, Egypt** – Despite months of negotiations, a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas remains elusive, although progress has been made, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. During a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Blinken stated that while 15 out of 18 paragraphs in the proposed deal have been agreed upon, remaining issues need to be resolved.

Abdelatty, meanwhile, confirmed Hamas’ commitment to the cease-fire agreement reached in May and subsequent amendments. Both officials stressed the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza and Sudan.

Blinken’s visit to Cairo comes as the US, Egypt, and Qatar continue to mediate the negotiations. The proposed deal focuses on halting the fighting and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza.

While a timetable for the revised proposal remains unclear, the US continues to engage with regional partners, including Egypt and Qatar, to ensure the agreement leads to a lasting resolution.

The push for a cease-fire comes amidst a complex backdrop of escalating tensions in the region. Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, has been engaging in near-daily attacks along the Israel-Lebanon border, forcing thousands to flee their homes. The group has said it would cease these attacks if a Gaza cease-fire agreement is reached.

Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution calling for Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian lands within a year. The resolution proposes sanctions and steps to stop arms shipments to Israel if they are used in Palestinian territories.

The resolution, which was supported by 124 countries and opposed by 14, seeks to build on an International Court of Justice advisory opinion that deemed Israel’s occupation and discriminatory policies unlawful.

Israel has rejected the court’s opinion and the UN resolution, while the US voted against the measure.

Blinken’s trip to the region, which excluded Israel for the first time since the Gaza war began last year, reflects the ongoing challenges and complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the search for peace.

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