US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced that Yahya Sinwar, the new head of the political bureau of the Hamas movement, has always been the main person making decisions regarding the ceasefire.
Blinken said in a joint press conference in Annapolis with his Australian counterpart: “Sinwar has been and still is the main decision maker. This confirms that it is his responsibility to make a decision regarding the ceasefire.”
The US Secretary of State also warned against escalating the ongoing conflict, stressing the need for both Iran and Israel to avoid exacerbating the situation in the Middle East.
Blinken told reporters: “No party should exacerbate this conflict. We have engaged in intensive diplomacy with allies and partners, and we have conveyed this message directly to Iran and Israel.”
‘Our commitment to Israel’s security is unwavering, and we will continue to defend Israel against attacks by terrorist groups or their sponsors, just as we will continue to defend our forces,’ Blinken said.
‘But
everyone in the region must understand that additional attacks only lead to further escalation of the conflict, instability and insecurity for all,’ he added.
Speaking after talks with Australia’s foreign and defense ministers at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Blinken said the United States was working ‘intensively to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and prevent the spread of conflict.’
Hamas announced on Tuesday the appointment of Yahya Sinwar as the movement’s political chief, succeeding Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed last week in Tehran.
Ismail Haniyeh, 62, died in a targeted attack on his room at a guest house in the Iranian capital, Tehran, after attending the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency