Blinken arrives in Israel; Netanyahu blames Hamas for ceasefire stalemate
Benjamin Netanyahu
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported a grim milestone on Sunday (Aug 18). It has claimed that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has claimed the lives of at least 40,099 people in the Gaza Strip.
The ministry also reported that 92,609 individuals have been wounded since the war erupted following Hamas's deadly attack on Israel on October 7.
As the death toll in Gaza continues to rise, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the militant group Hamas on Sunday for blocking ceasefire negotiations.
His remarks come ahead of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's arrival in Israel. Blinken, as per AFP, is expected to push for a ceasefire deal to prevent a broader regional conflict.On Monday, the US diplomat will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and President Isaac Herzog, according to a US official with Blinken.
Netanyahu blames Hamas for ceasefire stalemate
Urging the international community to direct their pressure at Hamas, Netanyahu said, "Hamas, up to this moment, remains obstinate. It did not even send a representative to the talks in Doha".
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"Therefore, the pressure should be directed at Hamas and (Yahya) Sinwar, not at the Israeli government," Netanyahu said during a cabinet meeting, referring to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
"We are conducting negotiations, not a scenario in which we just give and give. There are things we can be flexible on and there are things that we cannot be flexible on, which we will insist on," he asserted.
Netanyahu emphasised that "strong military pressure and strong diplomatic pressure" are crucial in bringing Hamas to the negotiating table, and that "enormous efforts" were being made to bring home Israeli hostages.
UN chief appeals for humanitarian pause amid Gaza polio outbreak
Amid the ongoing conflict, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday (August 16) called for a humanitarian pause to allow for a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza.
Addressing reporters, Guterres highlighted the critical need for immediate assurances to facilitate the campaign, especially after the first confirmed polio case was detected in a 10-month-old child in Deir al-Balah.
Also read |IDF chiefs knew about October 7 attacks in advance but never informed top officials: Report
"Let’s be clear: The ultimate vaccine for polio is peace and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire," Guterres stated.
He emphasised that a "polio pause is a must" is essential and that "It is impossible to conduct a polio vaccination campaign with war raging all over."
Guterres said that the UN was poised to vaccinate children under 10, but that "challenges are grave." To stop the spread of polio, at least 95 per cent coverage during each of the two rounds of the campaign will be needed.
(With inputs from agencies)
