Hamas on Monday claimed responsibility for an attempted suicide bombing in a major Israeli city on Sunday, and the United States has warned that the current negotiations are “probably the last” chance to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza war.
Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad were responsible for the bombing near a synagogue in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Sunday night, and Israeli intelligence described it as a “terror attack.” According to The blast killed the man carrying the bomb and injured one passerby, according to police at the scene, The Times of Israel. (Related article: Three years on, Biden still hasn't said who's to blame for messy Afghanistan withdrawal)
Hamas said in a statement that its “martyrdom operations” on Israeli soil would continue as long as the occupation forces' policy of massacres and assassinations continues, an apparent reference to Israel's months-long war with Hamas in Gaza that began in October. According to To Reuters.
Israeli security forces and emergency responders deploy to the scene of an explosion in Tel Aviv on August 18, 2024. The Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the Tel Aviv bombing on August 19, calling it a “suicide mission” and warning of further attacks on Israel as the Gaza war drags on. (Photo: Jack Ghez/AFP via Getty Images)
The bombing was the latest action by Hamas against Israel in the ongoing war that the United States and international community have been trying for months to end with a ceasefire. Negotiations have been stymied as neither Israel nor Hamas have been able to agree on the terms of a deal.
US and Israeli mediators met in Qatar along with other Arab partners, negotiation Talks are expected to continue in Egypt this week, although no Hamas representatives were present last week.
But Hamas on Sunday rejected the current proposal, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “obstructing the process of reaching an agreement” and “setting new conditions and demands with the aim of undermining the efforts of mediators and prolonging the war,” according to Axios. Hamas said the U.S. proposal was “in line” with Netanyahu's demands.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) meets with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv, August 19, 2024. (Photo by Kevin Mohat/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli officials and Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel on Monday. It is called A “defining moment” in the negotiation process.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Blinken said this was “probably our best, maybe our last, chance” to secure a ceasefire agreement.
Blinken echoed President Joe Biden's sentiments. comment Netanyahu told White House reporters on Friday that they were “closer than ever” to an agreement, but added that “we're not there yet.” Netanyahu's office said Monday that Israel was “committed” to the current proposal presented by Biden several months ago, which “takes into account Israel's security needs.”
“Now is the time to do it,” Blinken said at Monday's meeting. “It's time for everyone to say yes and stop looking for excuses to say no.”
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