'Ball in Hamas's court' on Gaza deal, says US top diplomat

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that it was up to Hamas to seal a Gaza ceasefire, saying a final proposal was on the table at talks in Qatar.

"The ball is now in Hamas's court. If Hamas accepts, the deal is ready to be concluded and implemented," Blinken said in Washington, speaking at the Atlantic Council think tank.

Blinken, who leaves office next week, said that the United States on Sunday put forward a "final proposal" alongside Egypt and Qatar.

Repeating President Joe Biden's remarks a day earlier, Blinken said that the deal to end the 15-month war was "on the brink" of acceptance.

"It's closer than it's ever been before, but right now, we await final word from Hamas on its acceptance, and until we get that word we'll remain on the brink," he said.

A Pro-Palestinian protester is removed from the room as Antony Blinken speaks at the Atlantic Council. AFP

"That could come anytime. It come in the hours ahead. It could come in the days ahead."

He acknowledged that acceptance may come after President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on Monday.
"I believe we will get a ceasefire," he said.

"Whether we get there in the remaining days of our administration or after January 20, I believe the deal will follow closely the terms of the agreement that President Biden put forward last May and our administration rallied the world behind."

Agence France-Presse