Washington, 18 August 2024 (dpa/MIA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to arrive in Israel on Sunday as negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict reach a critical stage.

Blinken plans to "continue intensive diplomatic efforts" on the ground in Israel, US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said in Washington ahead of his departure.

"Secretary Blinken will underscore the critical need for all parties in the region to avoid escalation or any other actions that could undermine the ability to finalize an agreement," the spokesman said.

The negotiations were postponed on Friday. The mediators Egypt, Qatar, and the United States did not achieve a breakthrough between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement.

According to a joint statement, the two-day talks in the Qatari capital Doha were constructive. Another high-level meeting is scheduled to take place in Cairo before the end of next week.

The US government is expressing confidence regarding the negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict and at the same time is urging readiness to compromise.

"We are closer than we've ever been," US President Joe Biden told journalists on the sidelines of an event at the White House on Friday.

According to the three mediators, there is a proposal that aims to narrow "the remaining gaps." This is in line with the principles of the peace plan presented by Biden at the end of May.

The plan initially provides for a complete and unrestricted ceasefire of six weeks. During this period, a certain group of hostages held by Hamas would be released. In return, Palestinians imprisoned in Israel would be released.

After that, the fighting would cease permanently and the remaining hostages would be released. In a final phase, the reconstruction of the Gaza would begin.

Photo: EPA