Blinken to Visit Israel Amid Ceasefire Talks

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel on Saturday as part of the United States’s efforts to secure a cease-fire in Gaza and negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas terrorists. Blinken will “continue intensive diplomatic efforts to conclude the agreement for a ceasefire and release of hostages and detainees,” State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a statement on Friday. The visit comes after the United States put forward a “bridging proposal,” with backing from Egypt and Qatar, during cease-fire talks over the past 48 hours in Doha. President Joe Biden said Friday he directed U.S. negotiators in Doha to present the comprehensive proposal which would lay the foundation for coming to a final cease-fire deal. He also spoke with Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who expressed “strong support” for the proposal....