U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke from Cairo on Friday, stating that he is pushing for a seven-day humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Gaza to honor Eid, the feast at the end of Ramadan. Reuters and the BBC reported that Israel had rejected a proposed ceasefire on Friday, but that it was still discussing possible changes to the proposal.
Kerry said he was unable to formally announce a ceasefire at this time, because the “terminology” of the agreement has still not been fully worked out.
“Both the Israelis and the Palestinians deserve and need to lead normal lives,” Kerry said. “We believe that seven days will give all the parties the ability to take a step back from violence.”
Kerry added that he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Friday, who “made it clear that he wants to try to find the way forward,” Kerry said.
Kerry called the possibility of a seven-day ceasefire a “downpayment” on peace.
“We don’t yet have that final framework but I will tell you this: None of us are stopping,” Kerry said.
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