By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Optimism seems to be fading that a cease fire proposed by the United States will be accepted to pause the fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Kansas U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Republican member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, says these are difficult negotiations between long-time enemies.
“Well, I don’t know, there have been lots of efforts at trying to put in place a cease fire. None of them have worked to date. And it seems both sides are difficult to deal with,” Moran tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post during a recent visit to Elwood.
Moran is doubtful this latest attempt by the United States to bring the two sides together will work.
“I hope that there can be some kind of coming together for peace or a better circumstance for people,” Moran says.
Still Moran holds out hope the United States can bring the two sides together this time.
“So, we hope and pray that there’s solution that protects the Israeli citizens and provides a safe and secure place for everyone.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Middle East and had thought Israel and Hamas had agreed to terms for a pause in the fight and the release of hostages.
The conflict ignited after Hamas attacked Israeli citizens in October, killing more than a thousand, taking more than 100 hostage. Israel launched an all-out war against Hamas. It is estimated more than 40,000 have been killed in the war.