Blinken: We’re ‘inside the 10-yard line’ on Gaza cease-fire agreement

Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, indicated on Friday that the U.S. is making significant progress towards a cease-fire agreement in Gaza.

“We’re inside the 10-yard line and driving toward the goal line on getting an agreement that would produce a cease-fire, get the hostages home, and set us on a better path toward lasting peace and stability,” Blinken stated at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado.

He cautioned, however, that “the last 10 yards are often the hardest” and acknowledged that some issues still need to be resolved.

Blinken emphasized that achieving a cease-fire remains the fastest way to end the conflict, provide relief to Gaza’s people, and improve conditions in the region.

‘Palestinians are not going anywhere’

When questioned about the viability of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Blinken asserted, “Not only is it not dead, it can’t be.”

He highlighted the enduring presence of over 5 million Palestinians and 7 million Israeli Jews, stressing that both populations need to find a way to coexist.

“Neither is going anywhere. Palestinians are not going anywhere. The Jews are not going anywhere. There has to be an accommodation,” he added.

Blinken underscored the necessity of creating a solution that ensures lasting peace and security for Israelis and meets the Palestinians’ right to self-determination.

He also noted that Iran and Hamas are the strongest opponents of a two-state solution, though he did not mention that the Israeli Knesset has largely rejected the idea of establishing a Palestinian state.