Israel accepts 'bridging proposal' for Gaza ceasefire deal - Blinken

US Secretary State Antony Blinken met with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu to push for an urgent ceasefire.

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It is now up to Hamas to agree, Mr Blinken added.

The pair met in Tel Aviv for talks that Mr Netanyahu has described as "positive", with his office adding that he had reiterated his commitment to an American proposal on the release of the hostages still held by Hamas, which took into account Israel’s security needs.

Mr Blinken had earlier warned this was "maybe the last opportunity" to secure a ceasefire agreement, as the US hopes to push a deal over the finish line.

The Americans hope that could happen perhaps as soon as this time next week, but that level of optimism is not shared by the Israeli leadership or Hamas.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y3xzex72no

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