Blinken Pushes Gaza Cease-fire Talks in Cairo Amid Heightened Tensions
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Cairo on Wednesday to push forward diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war while also discussing broader regional issues with Egyptian officials. Blinken’s trip comes as tensions in the Middle East are running high, following threats by Hezbollah to retaliate against Israel for alleged involvement in a series of explosions targeting the group’s operatives in Lebanon via their pagers that left nine dead and injured nearly 3,000.
During his visit, Blinken met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other senior officials. According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, Blinken’s discussions in Cairo focused on finding a cease-fire proposal acceptable to both Israel and Hamas. The US has been working on a plan that includes securing the release of hostages held by Hamas since October 2023. Egypt, along with Qatar, has played a key mediating role in the cease-fire negotiations.
Blinken’s stop in Cairo marked the first time he has not visited Israel since the conflict began last year. Washington explained that the cease-fire proposal is still being refined, making a trip to Israel premature. After Cairo, Blinken will head to Paris for meetings with European leaders to discuss regional security and other international issues, including the situation in Ukraine.
The US continues to rely on Egypt as a key ally in both regional diplomacy and humanitarian efforts in Gaza, while also managing its long-standing military aid relationship with Cairo.
