Blinken visits Middle East to discuss Gaza post-war plan
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Middle East discussing post-war plans to govern and secure Gaza.
His talks with Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia and then Egypt will focus on what the US calls “an architecture for lasting peace”.
The talks come amid reports that Israeli forces had escalated their operation around al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, carrying out several air strikes.
Israel’s military said it had killed 90 gunmen there since Monday.
Separately, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are continuing in Qatar to bring about a ceasefire and the release of hostages. But there are few signs that a breakthrough is imminent.
It’s Blinken’s sixth trip to the region since the start of the war.