ANKARA: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met in Ankara on Friday to explore the possibility of finalizing a deal on hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza. Blinken expressed cautious optimism, noting recent signs of progress toward an agreement.
“We’ve seen encouraging signs over the past few weeks that a resolution is possible,” Blinken said. The discussions focused on the crucial role Hamas must play in agreeing to the terms. He acknowledged Turkey’s significant influence over the group, particularly as many Hamas officials have recently traveled to Turkey after being expelled from Qatar.
Blinken comments on Ceasefire Deal in Gaza
Blinken’s comments echoed those of U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who on Thursday expressed the administration’s hope to “close” a deal before the end of President Biden’s term. Sullivan emphasized that the situation remains fluid, with increasing collaboration between the current U.S. administration and officials from the previous Trump administration to push forward a resolution.
Despite the cautious optimism, the situation remains complex, with many obstacles still in place. However, the diplomatic efforts reflect a growing push for peace as the region faces ongoing conflict.
