US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot held a press conference on Wednesday, where Blinken discussed the nearing possibility of a deal that would lead to the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Blinken acknowledged the collaborative efforts between the United States and France to help establish the 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. He commended the success of the ceasefire, emphasizing that it has progressed positively and holds the potential to pave the way for a brighter future for Lebanon and its relationship with Israel.
“Together [with France], we put together an oversight mechanism to address concerns about ceasefire violations, and it is working,” Blinken remarked. “Challenges remain, but so far, the mechanism is functioning well, and we’ve seen as recently as yesterday, the withdrawal of more than a third of the Israeli forces in Lebanon.”
He expressed his belief that the ceasefire could act as a stepping stone towards lasting peace, allowing both Israelis and Lebanese people to return to their homes, resume their daily lives, and move forward in an environment of greater peace and security.
In addition to discussing the Lebanon ceasefire, Blinken addressed the ongoing efforts to broker a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Doha to resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“In the Middle East, we’re very close to a ceasefire and hostage agreement,” Blinken stated. “I hope that we can get it over the line in the time that we have left. But if we don’t, then the plan that President Biden put forward for a ceasefire/hostage deal will be handed over to the incoming administration. And I believe that when we get that deal – and we’ll get it – it will be on the basis of the plan that President Biden put before the world back in May.”
He also highlighted the extensive preparations made by the Biden Administration for the post-ceasefire phase, including plans for Gaza’s security, administration, and reconstruction.
Blinken noted that these plans, alongside efforts to facilitate normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, would be transferred to the next administration to ensure continuity in progress.
{Matzav.com}