US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday landed in Tel Aviv, a visit aimed at intensifying diplomatic pressure to achieve a ceasefire deal in Gaza next week that will end the months-long bloodshed between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.
In his tenth trip to the region since war began last October, the top US diplomat on Monday will meet with senior Israeli leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a senior State Department official.
After Israel, Blinken will continue onto Egypt as part of his Middle East tour.