During U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Cairo, he and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi focused on advancing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, as tensions escalated in the Middle East following deadly explosions linked to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Blinken's trip, his tenth since the conflict began in October 2023, did not include stops in Israel, reflecting a strategic focus on Egypt. Sissi emphasized the need for decisive actions to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza and to halt Israeli violations in the West Bank. Despite private assessments from U.S. officials suggesting limited progress may be achieved, both leaders discussed enhancing collaborative efforts with Qatar for hostage negotiations. The backdrop of regional instability, highlighted by the recent violence in Lebanon, adds urgency to these discussions as the U.S. seeks a ceasefire before the upcoming presidential elections. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution as a path to lasting peace and security.