U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will travel to Israel this weekend to push for a cease-fire agreement in Gaza as the United States tries to bridge gaps in negotiations in the region, the State Department said.
Blinken will depart Saturday in an effort to "conclude the cease-fire agreement and release of hostages and detainees through the interim proposal" presented Friday by the United States during the Doha talks, the State Department said in a statement.
Earlier on Friday, President Joe Biden said "we are closer than ever" to a ceasefire in the 10-month war in Gaza after two days of talks in the Qatari capital Doha.
Biden spoke by phone with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to discuss "significant progress" in the talks, National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said.
Biden and the two key Arab leaders have publicly called on Hamas and Israel to join the talks.
Earlier, the White House said diplomats would continue to work out the details in hopes of concluding an agreement later next week in Cairo.
"This proposal would achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of all hostages, ensure the distribution of humanitarian assistance in Gaza, and create conditions for broader regional stability," the State Department said in a statement.
"Secretary Blinken will emphasize the critical need for all parties in the region to avoid escalation or any other actions that could undermine the ability to finalize an agreement," the statement said.
This will be Blinken's ninth trip to the Middle East since Hamas carried out its deadliest attack on Israel on October 7, which responded with a relentless military campaign in Gaza.
The State Department announced no other stops after Israel. Blinken has met with key Arab allies on previous trips. I BGNES
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