Blinken to visit Egypt to discuss Gaza ceasefire.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Egypt to meet with Egyptian officials to discuss a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. According to the US State Department, Blinken's next steps will be aimed at reaching an agreement that facilitates the release of all hostages, alleviates the suffering of the Palestinian people and enhances regional security.

The United States, along with mediators from Qatar and Egypt, has been trying for months to broker an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas to end hostilities and free Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages. But the main obstacles have been Israel's demand that it retain its military forces to create a buffer zone between Gaza and Egypt, and the details of exchanging hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Blinken will also travel to London, where US President Joe Biden will meet with the British Prime Minister. The main topics of discussion will be Ukraine and Israel.