US secretary of state Antony Blinken has told Israel and Hamas that “the time is now” for a deal to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza and free the remaining hostages held there.
Mr Blinken said a deal was on the table and Hamas should agree to it.
Mediators are awaiting a response from Hamas to the latest proposal.
It reportedly involves a 40-day ceasefire and the release of more than 30 Israeli hostages in exchange for many more Palestinian prisoners.
“We are determined to get a ceasefire that brings the hostages home and to get it now, and the only reason that that wouldn’t be achieved is because of Hamas,” Mr Blinken said as he met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv.
bbc
