Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement stalls

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Secretary of State Antony Blinken is back in the Middle East urging leaders in the region to pressure Hamas to accept a ceasefire proposal.

It comes days after a special operation by Israel that led to the release of four hostages.

The White House is praising the rescue of the four hostages, but says the goal is to release all of the hostages and negotiate a ceasefire deal.

President Biden says there’s more work to be done.

“We won’t stop working until all hostages come home and a ceasefire is reached,” said Biden.

The operation to free the four hostages left an Israeli commander dead after the Israeli military says its forces came under heavy fire during the mission.

According to Hamas, nearly 300 Palestinians were also killed during the mission, but Arkansas Republican Senator Tom Cotton had this message for Hamas.

“If you don’t want your people killed in hostage rescue missions, then you shouldn’t take hostages in the first place,” said Cotton.

Pro-Palestine protests formed in front of the White House over the weekend demanding the bloodshed must stop.

“If you want to alleviate the terrible suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, press Hamas to say yes,” said Blinken.

Blinken met Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  He says it’s up to Hamas to accept a phased deal that would stop the fighting and secure the release of remaining hostages.

“Does Hamas want to end this conflict, end this war that it started, or not?” Blinken asked.

Since putting the deal on the table Hamas has not publicly responded to it, but previously indicated it has a positive view of the proposal.

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