Blinken leaves for Middle East to try to bolster Israel-Hamas ceasefire, resume region's peace talks

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is departing Monday to the Middle East to try to help solidify the recent Gaza cease-fire and resume peace talks among the Israelis, Palestinians and others in the region.

The Biden administration said last week after the cease-fire that Bliken would make a diplomatic mission. President Biden on Monday officially announced Bliken would leave this week. He will visit with officials from Egypt, Israel, Jordan and the West Bank. 

"At the request of President Biden, I am traveling to Jerusalem, Ramallah, Cairo, and Amman to meet with the parties to support their efforts to solidify a ceasefire," Blinken tweeted Monday. "The United States has engaged in intensive diplomacy to bring an end to the hostilities and reduce tensions."

Blinken said he would negotiate steps to resume peace talks between the two sides after 11 days of violence, in which more than 240 people were killed by rocket fire and airstrikes, respectively in Israel and Gaza, controlled by the militant group Hamas.

Blinken also said he would negotiate for humanitarian incentives to repair the damage in Gaza as a result of the Israeli airstrikes.

Biden on Monday reiterated the United States' commitment to Israel. 

"During his trip, Secretary Blinken will meet with Israeli leaders about our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security," the president said. He will continue our administration’s efforts to rebuild ties to, and support for, the Palestinian people and leaders, after years of neglect. And he will engage other key partners in the region."