Blinken arrives in Middle East seeking Gaza ceasefire

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

US Secretary of State Blinken meets with Israel's President Isaac Herzog, in Tel Aviv, Israel, August 19, 2024. PHOTO | REUTERS

Photo credit: Tupou Vaipulu | Pool | AFP

What you need to know:

  • On his ninth trip to the region since the war began in October, Blinken will meet on Monday with senior Israeli leaders including Netanyahu, a senior State Department official said.
  • The talks to strike a deal for a truce and return of hostages held in Gaza were now at an "inflection point", a senior Biden administration official told reporters en route to Tel Aviv. "We think this is a critical time," the official said.