US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced plans to visit Egypt and Qatar to finalize the ceasefire agreement and bring hostages home for lasting peace and security. Blinken emphasized the importance of working with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim to ensure Hamas agrees to the proposal and commits to implementing the agreement.
During his ninth trip to the region since October, Blinken stressed the need to prevent further escalation of conflict and tensions. He highlighted the proposal put forward by President Biden with Qatar and Egypt to bridge remaining gaps between parties.
Blinken also addressed humanitarian concerns, particularly the potential re-emergence of polio and the need for vaccination plans in Gaza. He emphasized the importance of resolving issues related to providing assistance such as food, medicine, and addressing sewage accumulation in Gaza.
Overall, the focus is on promoting peace, preventing further conflict, and addressing urgent humanitarian needs in the region.