US’ Antony Blinken expects Gaza truce negotiators to meet ‘in coming days’

Blinken, on his 11th trip to the region since the war, also announced another US$135 million in aid for Palestinians

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Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people, in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:02pm, 24 Oct 2024Updated: 9:05pm, 24 Oct 2024

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after talks in Qatar on Thursday that he anticipates negotiators will get together in the coming days for discussions on a ceasefire deal to end Israel’s war in Gaza.

Speaking alongside Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Blinken said the two discussed options to capitalise on the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and move the abortive negotiations forward.

“We talked about options to capitalise on this moment and next steps to move the process forward, and I anticipate that our negotiators will be getting together in the coming days,” Blinken told reporters after talks.

Blinken also announced another US$135 million in aid to the Palestinians, saying it was critical that aid enters Gaza. He on his 11th visit to the region since the outbreak of the war in Gaza. The United States has pressed Israel to allow more aid into the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to officials before boarding his plane in Riyadh, en route to Doha. Photo: AFP

Qatar, with the US and Egypt, has led mediation between Israel and the Palestinian militants aimed at securing a truce in Gaza and a hostage and prisoner exchange.