Blinken departs for Tel Aviv visit as US pushes to finalize Gaza ceasefire deal

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has departed on a mission to the Middle East to push ahead a Gaza ceasefire deal, as cautious optimism rises.

The top US diplomat, who is putting off vacation plans for his ninth trip to the Middle East since October 7, will fly to Tel Aviv ahead of expected meetings with the Israeli leadership.

He has routinely visited Arab states on previous trips but no further stops were immediately announced.

Blinken flew out of Andrews Air Force Base after two days of ceasefire talks urged by President Joe Biden brokered with Egypt and Qatar wrapped up in the Qatari capital Doha.

US officials say they made progress and offered a proposal to bridge gaps between Israel and Hamas, with talks to resume later in the coming week in Cairo.