# Press Releases – United States Department of State

- Secretary Antony J. Blinken’s Remarks to the Press Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of StateCairo, EgyptCairo AirportSECRETARY BLINKEN:  Well, good afternoon, everyone.  Ten days ago, President Biden put forward a proposal that would produce an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, get all the hostages home, and put us on a path to an enduring resolution to the conflict in Gaza.  It’s a proposal that is very close to what Hamas itself had agreed to some time before.  Since the President put the proposal forward, countries throughout the region and around the world – as well as international organizations – have all endorsed it.  Israel has accepted it.  And the only outlier in this moment – the only outlier in this moment – is Hamas.So my message to governments throughout the region, to people throughout the region is:  If you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes.  If you want to alleviate the terrible suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, press Hamas to say yes.  If you want to get all the hostages home, press Hamas to say yes.  If you want to put Israelis and Palestinians alike on the path to more durable peace and security, press Hamas to say yes.  If you want to prevent this conflict from spreading, press Hamas to say yes.Now, if we get this ceasefire, it also opens the path to more durable security, calm, peace in Gaza.  And for that, it’s critical that we continue to work on plans for the day after to make sure that when it comes to security in Gaza, when it comes to governance, when it comes to reconstruction, we have the plans in place to move forward.  That’s going to be a critical part of my conversations here in the region, as we go on to Israel and then to Jordan and then to Qatar.Throughout this process, Egypt has played a critical and a leading role in supporting the proposal to get to a ceasefire and return of hostages, in working on these day-after plans, in being a critical partner as well for getting humanitarian assistance in to the Palestinian people who so desperately need it in Gaza.  And I want to thank President Sisi again for a very good exchange and for all the work we’re doing almost on a daily basis.In Jordan itself – and we’ll come to this in a day – we’re going to be focused intensely on the humanitarian assistance piece and civilian protection.  Because deal or no deal, it remains absolutely essential that we get more aid to Palestinians who need it, that that aid gets around and distributed to those who are so desperately in need of it, and that we continue to work on protecting civilians and get them out of harm’s way.Look, I think this is a critical moment, because we see the possibility, we see the prospect of an immediate ceasefire, of getting all the hostages home, of getting on the path to a durable resolution to the conflict in Gaza.  I know that there are those who are pessimistic about the prospects.  That’s understandable.  Hamas continues to show extraordinary cynicism in its actions, a disinterest not only in the well-being and security of Israelis but also Palestinians.  And there are those in the region who are also working against efforts to bring about a ceasefire and a durable peace, who don’t even acknowledge – indeed reject – the existence of Israelis or Palestinians, much less their ability to live side-by-side in peace.But I believe strongly – this is now my eighth trip to the region since October 7th – that the overwhelming majority of people – whether they’re in Israel, West Bank, in Gaza, throughout the region, around the world – actually want and believe in a future where Israelis and Palestinians alike can live in peace, in security.  And for the United States, we will continue our efforts every single day, first to get this ceasefire, to get hostages home; but second, to try to put everyone in the region on that much better path.Andrea.QUESTION:  Mr. Secretary, you say that everyone but Hamas has agreed to this.  Benjamin Netanyahu has certainly said otherwise publicly, and hostage families are saying you should try everything if this fails.  And it’s quite possible it will fail with him now toughening his position with his right-wing partners.  If this fails, they want you to work through Qatar and deal with Hamas to get the Americans home.  We are reporting at NBC News that that is being discussed as a backup plan – if no other way to get a ceasefire – doing it without Israel agreeing to a ceasefire agreement.  Tell us about that.  And also if the war continues, won’t the Palestinian death toll be unacceptable, as the national security advisor of Israel has said to the end of the year, after such a horrific death toll in getting the hostages out militarily this weekend?SECRETARY BLINKEN:  First, let me be very clear:  Israel has accepted the proposal.  In fact, they were critical in putting it forward.  So the only party &#8212;QUESTION:  (Inaudible.)SECRETARY BLINKEN:  No, that’s – that is what – that is what the official position of the Israeli Government, the prime minister.  So the only party that has not accepted, the only party that’s not said yes is Hamas.  That’s who everyone is waiting on.  That’s who the Palestinians in Gaza are waiting on, it’s who the Israelis are waiting on, it’s who the hostages and the hostage families are waiting on, it’s who the entire region and the entire world is waiting on.  And so we’ll see.  Does Hamas want to end this conflict, end this war that it started, or not?  We’ll find out.  But it’s clear that virtually the entire world has come together in support of the proposal, and the only open question is will Hamas say yes.  So that’s one.Second, in terms of the hostages, my number one priority as Secretary of State is to ensure the well-being of Americans who are in harm’s way anywhere in the world, including those who are being unjustly detained or being held hostage.  The best way, the most effective way to get everyone home, including the American hostages, is through this proposal, is through the ceasefire deal that’s on the table right now.  That’s what we’re focused on.  That’s what we’re determined to have – to see achieved.And finally, Andrea, in terms of civilian suffering, civilian casualties, civilian injuries, the humanitarian assistance, again, the most immediate answer to that question, the best way to ensure that there’s not another civilian casualty, is for this ceasefire deal to go forward, for Hamas to accept it.  It’s as basic and as simple as that.  That’s what’s on the table now; that’s what we need to see an answer to.  That’s what would end the conflict in Gaza; that’s what would prevent more civilian casualties.QUESTION:  If that’s your top priority, wouldn’t indirect talks for the Americans at least bring those Americans home possibly?SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Again, my top priority always: bring Americans home.  And because of that, the most effective way to do that, to achieve that, to actually get them home is through the proposal that’s on the table.  So let’s see if we get an answer from Hamas.QUESTION:  Mr. Secretary, after your meeting with Egyptians today, do you have a better sense for when Hamas is actually going to respond to this proposal on the table – it’s been on the table for, as you say, 10 days at this point – and if the raid over the weekend to release those Israeli hostages could have a negative impact on how they respond?  And then you’re also meeting with Benny Gantz tomorrow.  I wonder what your message is to him after his resignation, and if you’re concerned at all – increasingly concerned – about Netanyahu not having an endgame to this war given that that’s the reason that Gantz stepped out of the government.SECRETARY BLINKEN:  So on Egypt, first, as I said, we greatly appreciate the critical role that they played in serving as a mediator and trying to get Hamas not only to the table, but to engage and now to say yes.  I can’t go into the details of our conversations today, except to say that our Egyptian counterparts were in communication with Hamas as early – as recently as a few hours ago.  And so I got an &#8212;QUESTION:  Were those conversations hopeful?SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Again, not going to get into any details about that.  But I think Egypt, the United States, other countries believe that, again, we should be able to get to yes.  But ultimately, I can’t put myself, none of us can put ourselves in the minds of Hamas or its leaders.  So we don’t know what the answer will be.  I don’t have anything further on that.  I just know that there’s a sense of urgency among all concerned – starting with us, with Egypt, with all of our Arab partners, the Arab League, countries throughout the region, well beyond – a real urgency in getting an answer and getting an affirmative answer, because it’s the single best way to do what so many people around the world want: to get an immediate ceasefire, get hostages home, put us on a path to enduring peace and security for the people in Gaza and throughout the region.  So we’re working on that.I think on virtually every trip to the region, including in Israel, I’ve met with leaders in Israel, whether part of the government or not part of the government, and Benny Gantz is someone for whom I have deep respect.  The decisions that the Israelis make about their government, who’s in, who’s out – those are decisions for Israelis to make, not for us.  But I’ll continue to meet with Mr. Gantz and others who lead major political parties in Israel and who are going to be critical to the path forward.QUESTION:  But based on his decision to step aside, are you increasingly concerned that the prime minister doesn’t have a plan to end the war given what he said?  He’s seen it from the inside.SECRETARY BLINKEN:  So – look, you’ve heard me talk to this, and I think if we get a positive response on the ceasefire, that only underscores the urgency of making sure that we do have plans in place for what happens the day after.  Because in the absence of those plans, then one of three things.  Either Israel would have to stay – which it says it doesn’t want to do and we believe it must not do and would be left holding the bag in Gaza and would probably have a major insurgency on his hands for years to come – or in the absence of a plan, it leaves, Hamas returns; or we have a total vacuum, and you just have chaos, lawlessness, criminality, jihadist groups, et cetera.  So it’s imperative that there be a plan, and that has to involve security, it has to involve governance, it has to involve reconstruction.We’ve spent the last five or so months, since the beginning of the year, working intensively with countries throughout the region on developing these plans, and as I mentioned a few minutes ago, that’s going to be a big part of this trip as well, carrying those conversations forward.  It would be very good if Israel put forward its own ideas on this, and I’ll be talking to the government about that.  But one way or another, we’ve got to have these plans, we’ve got to have them in place, we’ve got to be ready to go if we want to take advantage of a ceasefire and bringing this conflict to an end in a way that actually produces long-term security for Israel.  Because again, in the absence of a long-term plan, in the absence of knowing what you’re going to do post-conflict in Gaza, it’s just a recipe for permanent insecurity for Israel.  It’s not in their interest, and that’s something we’ll be talking about.QUESTION:  Thank you.SECRETARY BLINKEN:  Thanks very much.
- Assistant Secretary Geoffrey R. Pyatt’s Travel to Germany and Angola Office of the SpokespersonOn June 10, 2024, Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources Geoffrey R. Pyatt will travel to Berlin, Germany for the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC). On June 12, he will travel to Luanda, Angola for the third U.S.-Angola Energy Security Dialogue (ESD), a deliverable from President Biden’s meeting with Angolan President Lourenco in the Oval Office last year.In Berlin, Assistant Secretary Pyatt will join Under Secretary Jose W. Fernandez on the U.S. delegation led by Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker. He will convene, with URC hosts, a G7+ Ukraine energy coordination group meeting and hold bilateral discussions with private sector and government partners focused on marshalling emergency assistance for Ukraine’s energy sector following Russia&#8217;s escalation of attacks beginning March 22. Alongside Ukrainian and other international partners, Assistant Secretary Pyatt will also join a panel on Ukraine’s new national energy and climate plan and support American companies looking to develop Ukraine opportunities.On June 13, Assistant Secretary Pyatt will travel to Luanda and open the ESD with Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Angola Diamantino Pedro Azevedo and Minister for Energy and Water João Baptista Borges, the heads of the Angolan delegation. Their conversations will cover Angola’s energy security, energy transition, and decarbonization goals, including critical minerals, and supporting Angola’s ambitions for increased energy access and power generation.This dialogue reflects the United States’ and Angola’s deep historical cooperation on energy issues, bolstered by $900 million in U.S. clean energy investment finalized at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas, and builds on high-level travel to Angola by Secretary Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, USAID Administrator Samantha Power, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, and EXIM Chair Reta Jo Lewis.For further media information, please contact ENR-PD-Clearances@state.gov.
- Secretary Blinken’s Meeting with Egyptian President El-Sisi Office of the SpokespersonThe below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo. Secretary Blinken and President El-Sisi discussed the proposal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza that would secure the release of all hostages. The Secretary thanked President El-Sisi for Egypt’s leadership in mediating the proposal. He underscored that the proposal would alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and surge humanitarian assistance, and that Hamas should accept it without delay.Secretary Blinken and President El-Sisi continued discussions on plans for post-conflict governance, security, and reconstruction in Gaza, which the ceasefire proposal would advance. They also discussed the importance of reopening the Rafah Border Crossing and the need to protect Palestinian civilians and humanitarian workers. The Secretary reaffirmed the United States’ rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
- Taking Actions against Network of Houthi Financial Facilitator Matthew Miller, Department SpokespersonThe United States is taking action today against four individuals, four entities, and two vessels that have enabled the illicit transportation of commodities on behalf of financial networks supporting terrorism, including for the network of U.S. designated Houthi financial facilitator, Sa’id al-Jamal.  We are sanctioning shipping and financial facilitators, including two vessel captains, several vessel managers and owners, and a company involved in forging shipping documents, as well as identifying two vessels as blocked property.Houthi financial facilitator Sa’id al-Jamal continues to leverage an expansive support network to facilitate the illicit sale of commodities, including hiding the origin of cargo, forging shipping documents, and providing services to sanctioned vessels.  The United States will continue to impose costs on those who seek to facilitate these illicit activities.The Department of the Treasury actions today were taken pursuant to counterterrorism authority Executive Order 13224.  For more information on today’s action, see Treasury’s press release.
- The United States and Poland Announce New Ukraine Communications Group Office of the SpokespersonToday, the United States and Poland jointly launched a new Ukraine Communications Group (UCG) based in Warsaw to support Ukraine against Russia&#8217;s aggression in the information space. The UCG will bring together like-minded partner governments to coordinate messaging, promote accurate reporting of Russia’s full-scale invasion, amplify Ukrainian voices, and expose Kremlin information manipulation.Representatives from participating countries will begin collaborating in person to support Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity through collaborative efforts to counter disinformation and support fact-based reporting.  The Kremlin repeatedly uses lies and manipulation to peddle false pretexts for its unjustifiable invasion, obfuscate its war aims, and attempt to fracture worldwide solidarity with the Ukrainian people.  The UCG is designed to counter these deceptive narratives and reinforce honest coverage of Ukraine’s resilience and bravery in the face of Russia’s aggression.The United States, in partnership with the broad coalition of countries supporting Ukraine, has worked to expose purveyors of Kremlin disinformation since before the full-scale invasion.  The UCG is an extension of these efforts and offers another tool for like-minded countries to support Ukraine and protect the integrity of the global information space.For additional information and UCG media inquiries, please contact the Global Engagement Center at GECMediaContacts@state.gov.
- The United States and Poland Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation Office of the SpokespersonToday, U.S. Special Envoy and Coordinator for the Global Engagement Center James P. Rubin and Polish Foreign Minister&#8217;s Plenipotentiary for Countering International Disinformation Tomasz Chłoń signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Poland on countering foreign state information manipulation.This MOU signifies the sense of urgency both the United States and Poland place on increasing efforts to jointly counter foreign disinformation and propaganda by strengthening government and societal resiliency to its effects. Through this MOU, the United States and Poland intend to enhance information sharing on the threat posed by foreign information manipulation, expand capacity for counter-disinformation programming, and align government policies along the five key action areas established in the U.S. Department of State’s Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation.The United States, Poland, and the additional seventeen countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America that have endorsed this framework will work together to advance our shared commitment to combatting harmful information manipulation by foreign actors.
- Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Minkara Travels to the United Nations to Attend the 17th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Office of the SpokespersonU.S. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Sara Minkara will travel to New York from June 11-13 to attend the 17th Session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the UN.  Special Advisor Minkara will lead the U.S. delegation, facilitating bilateral and multilateral engagements with government officials, the private sector, and civil society to foster capacity building and promote respect for the rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities.Special Advisor Minkara will attend the opening session of COSP, convene government officials and the private sector from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, host a C5+1 Special Session on Disability Rights, and participate in a meeting hosted by the Government of Italy regarding the G7’s first-ever ministerial on disability and inclusion.For further information, please follow the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor on X and Facebook at @StateDRL, or email DRL-Press@state.gov.
- Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery Pritzker’s Travel to Germany Office of the SpokespersonSpecial Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker will travel to Berlin, Germany to serve as Head of Delegation to the Ukraine Recovery Conference June 11 &#8211; 12. In Berlin, Special Representative Pritzker will also represent the United States as Co-Chair in the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform (MDCP), launch the Business Advisory Council, and meet with Ukrainian government officials, allies, private sector representatives and civil society to discuss Ukraine’s economic recovery. The conference will seek to mobilize continued international support for the recovery, reconstruction, reform, and modernization of Ukraine.Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker will be joined by:Jose W. Fernandez, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the EnvironmentGeoffrey R. Pyatt, Assistant Secretary Bureau of Energy Resources
- United States to Chair Community of Democracies’ 38th Governing Council Meeting Office of the SpokespersonOn June 11, the United States will chair the Community of Democracies’ (CoD) 38th Governing Council Meeting in Warsaw, Poland.  Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Allison Peters will lead the U.S. delegation and will underscore the United States’ commitment to and continued collaboration with CoD member states on democracy and human rights priority issues, including a more open and resilient information environment, free and fair elections, defending civic space and freedom of association, and the meaningful inclusion of youth in civic and political processes.  On June 10, she will join Guatemala’s Vice Foreign Minister Mónica Renata Bolaños Pérez for a side event focused on the advancement of Women in Politics.During a reception hosted by the Government of Poland, Acting DAS Peters will recognize the forthcoming departure of Thomas Garrett, Secretary General of the CoD, who has provided steadfast leadership to the Community for the past seven years.  Following the third Summit for Democracy in March 2024, she will also look ahead to the celebration of the Community’s 25th anniversary in June 2025 and call upon all members to continue advancing relevant Summit commitments and the Warsaw Declaration to promote and protect democratic principles, bolstering our democracies and respect for human rights at home and abroad.  She will reaffirm the U.S. commitment to work closely with CoD co-founder Poland to lead the CoD into its next chapter.For further information, please follow the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor on X and Facebook at @StateDRL, or email DRL-Press@state.gov.
- The Rescue of Four Hostages from Gaza The Secretary of StateWe welcome the rescue of four hostages who after eight months of captivity have finally been reunited with their families in Israel. The United States will not rest until every hostage is returned home.The proposal that President Biden outlined eight days ago would bring relief to both the people of Gaza and the remaining hostages and their families through an immediate ceasefire that could lead to the release of all hostages, a surge of humanitarian assistance, Gaza’s reconstruction, and an enduring end to the war.  The only thing standing in the way of achieving this ceasefire is Hamas. It is time for them to accept the deal.