From the Liveblog of
Thursday, March 21, 2024
US official: Blinken, Sissi discussed deal to see all hostages freed, ceasefire of at least 6 weeks
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi discussed the negotiations to secure an immediate ceasefire for at least six weeks in the war between Israel and Hamas and the release of all hostages kidnapped by the Palestinian terror group, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says.
The top US diplomat is in Egypt after visiting Saudi Arabia a day earlier, as part of his latest Middle East tour.
He also discussed with Sissi the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel.
Blinken and Sissi together reviewed progress in the talks, Sissi’s office and the US State Department say.
Sissi stressed the need for a truce to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and warned of the dangers of a military operation in Rafah.
The Times of Israel Community.