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Blinken says Israel has agreed to withdraw troops from Gaza, Netanyahu previously stated the opposite

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that despite recent statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel has agreed to the withdrawal of IDF forces from Gaza, as provided for in a recent proposal by mediators. Blinken said this in Qatar, where the next round of negotiations was held, writes CNN. "The agreement is very clear on the timetable and locations for the IDF withdrawal from Gaza, and Israel has agreed to that," Blinken noted. He said Netanyahu told him bluntly during their meeting that Israel had agreed to an "interim proposal and, accordingly, a detailed plan" for the withdrawal. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other American officials have refrained from providing details on a proposal presented last week. The ceasefire plan includes three phases, ultimately leading to a full withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza. However, Israeli authorities have consistently emphasized the need for a solution to better manage the border between Egypt and Gaza, a known route for smuggling activities. Blinken's comments were made in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks during a meeting with the families of Hamas hostages, where he expressed doubt about reaching an agreement, as reported by The Times of Israel. Netanyahu also reportedly informed Blinken during their recent meeting that "Israel will not relinquish control over the Philadelphia Corridor (the 20 km border between Gaza and Egypt) and the Netzarim Corridor (which separates the northern and southern parts of the Gaza Strip) under any circumstances." The ongoing deployment of troops in the Philadelphia Corridor and the question of whether Palestinians will be allowed to return to their homes in the north have been significant sticking points in the ceasefire negotiations. Hamas remains adamant that the IDF must fully withdraw from Gaza and that displaced citizens should be permitted to return. Read also: Number of settlements Ukraine controls in Kursk region reaching 100, — Zelenskyy The post Blinken says Israel has agreed to withdraw troops from Gaza, Netanyahu previously stated the opposite appeared first on Freedom.