Blinken in Israel to push for Gaza ceasefire after Franco-British visit

RFI

18 August 2024 at 6:39 am·1-min read

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Sunday seeking to push forward ceasefire talks over the Gaza war. The move follows a visit by UK and French foreign ministers on Friday.

Blinken is making his 10th trip to the region since the war began, following the United States' recent bridging proposals, which mediating countries believe would close gaps between the warring parties.

Diplomatic efforts to halt the Israel-Hamas conflict and secure a deal to return hostages held in Gaza have intensified in recent days.

British and French foreign ministers travelled to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories on Friday to call for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and a de-escalation of any wider conflict in the Middle East.

The visit by Britain's David Lammy and France's Stephane Sejourne came as a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks was underway in Doha, an effort to end 10 months of fighting in the Palestinian enclave and bring 115 Israeli and foreign hostages home.

The talks, mediated by the US, Egypt and Qatar, are set to continue this week in Cairo following a two-day meeting in Doha last week.

In Israel, Blinken is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister and other senior officials.

Netanyahu's office said in a statement on Saturday there was "cautious optimism" a deal could be reached and US officials have also been positive, while cautioning there was still work to be done.

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