Blinken's Urgent Mission to Egypt Aims to Broker Gaza Ceasefire

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Egypt this week, marking his 10th trip to the Middle East in an intense effort to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Amidst the backdrop of a nearly year-long conflict and upcoming U.S. elections, Blinken's discussions will focus on securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The visit underscores the Biden administration's commitment to reviving stalled peace talks, despite the absence of a planned stop in Israel and growing skepticism about reaching an agreement before the end of President Joe Biden's current term. Blinken's trip highlights the critical role of Egypt as a key regional partner in these negotiations, as both sides face significant challenges over military positions and prisoner exchanges.