Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit Egypt as part of efforts to involve key regional partners in the Middle East in presenting a revised proposal for a Gaza cease-fire.
According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, “We are maintaining communication with our partners in the region, particularly Egypt and Qatar, to discuss the contents of the proposal and ensure that it is capable of bringing the parties to a final agreement.
“Although a specific timeline for the revised proposal has not been provided by the U.S., officials have indicated that it will be presented in the near future. The proposal aims to address the fundamental issues that have led to a deadlock in the talks mediated by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, with the goal of securing a truce between Israel and Hamas and securing the release of the remaining hostages taken by Hamas militants at the beginning of the conflict on October 7, 2023. During his visit to Cairo, Blinken will co-chair the opening session of the U.S.-Egypt Strategic Dialogue with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
According to VOA news Additionally, Blinken will hold discussions with Egyptian leaders to address the effort to secure a cease-fire in Gaza, ensure the release of all hostages, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, and promote broader regional security, as stated by Miller.
However, Blinken’s 10th trip to the Middle East since the conflict began does not include a visit to Israel for discussions with its leaders. Earlier on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Yair Lapid, Israel’s opposition leader and former prime minister. Following the meeting at the State Department, Lapid told reporters that Israel requires a hostage deal and an end to the conflict in Gaza, emphasizing that no political process or upheaval should hinder the agreement.
Lapid urged the U.S. not to allow Hamas to evade a hostage deal. “Lapid stressed the importance of bringing back the remaining hostages, stating that it is crucial for the nation’s well-being,” Lapid said.
