In Israel, Blinken says Hamas must accept cease-fire deal, offers "cautious optimism" to hostage families
CBSMay 01
Blinken Meets Netanyahu in Israel
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The Facts
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday had a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he reportedly pushed for additional humanitarian aid to Gaza and for Hamas to accept a cease-fire proposal.
Blinken maintained that negotiations with Israel to secure a truce in Gaza and a release of hostages have been stalled because Hamas was "standing in the way."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Hamas should accept this extraordinarily generous deal, especially after the US worked so hard to find a resolution to this terrible situation. However, it should remain clear that Hamas started this war and has considerably lengthened it through its stubbornness in negotiations. The US is committed to finding a solution to this conflict.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel has every right to continue this existential war against terror and continue with the planned invasion of Rafah after the atrocities that Hamas committed on Oct. 7. Israel can't cave to international pressure stoked by Israel's enemies, as the country must show its strength and defend its citizens. Israel will not be told by anyone how to manage its security.
Pro-Palestine narrative
The Biden administration, increasingly anxious over the upcoming election, has resorted to cheap tactics to deny its support for Israel's brutal war on Gaza. The US has armed Israel and refused to call for a permanent cease-fire, which incentivizes continued bloodshed. Israel is starving Palestinians in Gaza, yet Washington would rather blame Palestinians for their suffering than hold Israel accountable.
Nerd narrative
There's a 77% chance that Israel will expand its ground invasion to the city of Rafah before June 1, 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.