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Hamas welcoming Security Council resolution 'hopeful' sign: Blinken

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
11 Jun 2024 18:45

The US Secretary of State points out that Hamas' welcoming of the US-drafted ceasefire resolution is "not dispositive".

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with the media after meeting with families and supporters of Israelis held captive by Hama in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (AP)

US Secretary of State Blinken on Tuesday considered that Hamas' welcoming of a UN vote on the US-drafted ceasefire resolution was a "hopeful" sign.

The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution supporting a ceasefire plan in Gaza. Hamas welcomed the vote, saying, "We welcome the contents of the Security Council resolution regarding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, complete withdrawal, the return of displaced persons, and reconstruction."

"It is a hopeful sign, just as the statement issued after the president (Joe Biden) made his proposal 10 days ago was hopeful," Blinken said.

However, he pointed out that the Hamas statement is "not dispositive". "What is dispositive — or at least what so far been dispositive in one way or another — is the word coming from Gaza and from the Hamas leadership in Gaza. And that's what counts. And that's what we don't have."

"We await the answer from Hamas," the US Secretary added.

The text -- passed with 14 votes in favor and Russia abstaining -- "welcomes" the truce and the thee-phased plan laid out by US President Joe Biden on May 31 and urges "parties to fully implement its terms without delay and without condition."

The US-drafted resolution claims that "Israel" has accepted the truce plan and "calls upon Hamas to also accept it."

But it is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office that stressed that the ongoing war on Gaza would continue until all "goals are achieved," including the destruction of Hamas' military and governing capabilities.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that the movement is open to negotiating the specifics of the Security Council resolution.

He also emphasized that it is the responsibility of Washington to ensure "Israel's" compliance with the resolution.

"The U.S. administration is facing a real test to carry out its commitments in compelling the occupation to immediately end the war in an implementation of the UN Security Council resolution," Abu Zuhri said.