US Secretary of State to advance ceasefire talks in Middle East

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is welcomed by Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of Protocol Affairs Mohammed Al-Ghamdi as he visits Saudi Arabia in the latest Gaza diplomacy push, in Riyadh on April 29, 2024. Photo: AFP

In a bid to facilitate peace efforts in the Gaza Strip, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be embarking on a journey through Jordan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

Scheduled to kick off his visit from Saudi Arabia, Blinken aims to engage in discussions concerning a prospective ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages under Hamas’s captivity.

During his stay in Saudi Arabia, Blinken will use the opportunity to convene with prominent Arab dignitaries on the fringes of the World Economic Conference (WEF) hosted in the nation.

Simultaneously, as Blinken’s diplomatic journey unfolds, a delegation from Hamas is anticipated to respond to Egypt’s recent ceasefire proposition, adding an air of anticipation and potential progress to the ongoing negotiations.