The U.S. has confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has accepted the Gaza ceasefire proposal and is now urging Hamas to do the same

On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had accepted a “bridging proposal” from Washington designed to address the disagreements that have stalled a ceasefire in Gaza. Blinken also called on Hamas to agree to the proposal, which could pave the way for ending the ongoing conflict.

After a day of intensive discussions with Israeli officials, including a 2.5-hour meeting with Netanyahu, Blinken highlighted the proposal as potentially the last and best chance to secure a ceasefire, urging both sides to commit to de-escalation.

Blinken’s visit comes as President Joe Biden faces mounting pressure from within the Democratic Party and from pro-Palestinian groups, amid intensifying protests and concerns about Muslim and Arab American voters in key swing states. Despite expressions of optimism from the U.S. and Netanyahu’s office about the proposal, both sides acknowledge that achieving a final deal will be challenging.

The negotiations have been marred by disagreements, with Israel insisting that the war can only end with the dismantling of Hamas, while Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire. Issues remain over Israel’s military presence in Gaza, Palestinian movement within the territory, and the terms of a prisoner swap. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan criticized the U.S. for allegedly favoring Israel and accused it of being influenced by Israeli pressure.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israeli communities, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of around 250 hostages. Since then, Israeli military operations have devastated Gaza, displacing nearly all of its 2.3 million residents and causing significant casualties and suffering, with Palestinian health authorities reporting at least 40,000 deaths.