Blinken says Israel-Hamas cease-fire is within ‘10-yard line’ ahead of Netanyahu’s visit

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said a cease-fire in the 10-month war between Israel and Hamas is close.

“I believe we’re inside the 10-yard line and driving toward the goal line in getting an agreement that would produce a cease-fire, get the hostages home and put us on a better track to trying to build lasting peace and stability,” Mr. Blinken said Friday at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado.

His comments come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to address Congress on Wednesday. Also in Washington, President Biden is set to meet with Mr. Netanyahu, pending Mr. Biden’s recovery from a Covid diagnosis this week. 

It has been nearly two months since the Biden administration released a three-part cease-fire proposal for Israel and Hamas that would see an end to hostilities, the release of all hostages and the reconstruction of war-torn Gaza. At the time, Mr. Biden’s main selling point was that Hamas was no longer capable of performing a raid like that of Oct. 7. 

The proposal, which is backed by Qatar and Egypt, hit snags when Mr. Netanyahu said Israel’s goal was the destruction of Hamas. 

Mr. Blinken said issues remain for negotiation, specifically to avoid a power vacuum that could lead to a resurgence of Hamas or another faction. 

“What we can’t have is an agreement that’s followed by some kind of void,” Mr. Blink said. “If it’s there, by Hamas coming back, which is unacceptable; by Israel prolonging its occupation, which they say they don’t want to do and is unacceptable; or just having a vacuum that’s filled by lawlessness.”

Meanwhile, scores of congressional Democrats have voiced opposition to Mr. Netanyahu’s appearance next week over concerns of his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with some accusing the Israeli leader of being a “war criminal” and vowing to boycott his speech. 

Some Democrats have criticized Mr. Netanyahu and his government for the Gaza civilian death toll, which the Palestinian Ministry of Health says reached 38,000 by early July, with 87,000 injured.

Earlier this week, 230 anonymous congressional staffers across 122 Republican and Democratic offices called on lawmakers to boycott or protest his address, arguing that his appearance was an “issue of morality.” 

House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, threatened to have any Democratic lawmakers who protest or get out of hand arrested, and the U.S. Capitol Police announced it would beef up security.