Blinken: It's time to end the Gaza war

Baghdad - INA

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken confirmed on Thursday that it is time to end the war in Gaza while stressing the need to ensure that aid reaches those who need it in Gaza.

"We express our appreciation to the State of Qatar for its major role as a partner in finding peace," Blinken said in a press conference held today on the sidelines of his visit to Qatar, which was followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), indicating that "the Qatari Prime Minister personally played a major role in the efforts to return the hostages to their homes."

He added, "We must continue to develop a plan for after the war ends until the Zionist entity withdraws from Gaza," noting that "the time has come to end the war phase in Gaza."

"This is the moment to act to end the war, return the hostages to their homes and build a better future for the people of Gaza," he said, stressing "the need to ensure that aid reaches those who need it in Gaza."

"We want to make sure that we will not see further major escalation in the region," he said, noting that "we are intensifying efforts to reach a diplomatic solution in Lebanon that allows for the implementation of Resolution 1701."

The US Secretary of State stressed, "We want to fill the presidential vacuum in Lebanon," noting, "We are working diligently to ensure that the conflict does not expand."