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USA TodayOct 19
Blinken: Gaza Cease-fire Talks to Resume in 'Coming Days'
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Above: Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken give a joint press conference in Doha on October 24, 2024. Image copyright: Nathan Howard/Contributor/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday, following talks with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha, that negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages would resume in "the coming days."
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Mossad chief David Barnea will travel to Qatar on Sunday to "discuss [with Al Thani and CIA chief Bill Burns] the various options for starting the negotiations for the release of the hostages held by Hamas."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Though the situation in the region continues to escalate, the US has stood firm in its role as a mediator. Israel has every right to respond to the daily terror attacks it has seen since Oct. 7. However, it is in no one's interest for tensions to explode into a wider regional war. The US will continue to work toward regional stability.
Pro-Israel narrative
Though Israel has consistently worked to end the conflict, US pressure to limit its military operations and goals have consistently been proven flawed. Israel has managed to decimate Hamas and Hezbollah, and it very well may need to continue fighting for a while longer. Though Netanyahu can be tough to deal with, he has crushed Israel's enemies and continues to work toward a secure Israel.
Pro-Palestine narrative
These "cease-fire" talks are yet another ruse cooked up by the Americans to provide Israel with diplomatic cover to continue its genocide in Gaza and its destruction of Lebanon. Indeed, it is quite clear that Isreal's political and military leadership have decided that a drawn-out regional war is in Israel's best interest. Israel will continue slaughtering innocents across the Middle East, all bankrolled by the US.
