Blinken Pursues Gaza Ceasefire Talks in Egypt

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Egypt to advance ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip following Israel's acceptance of a US bridging proposal. In meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Blinken emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement with Hamas to end hostilities and release hostages. Sisi reiterated that a ceasefire should lead to broader international recognition of a Palestinian state and the implementation of a two-state solution, warning of the potential for regional conflict escalation. Hamas, however, challenged US President Biden's statements that it was backing away from a truce, claiming they are eager to negotiate a ceasefire. The discussions in Cairo are seen as critical for stabilizing the region amidst ongoing hostilities.