US Foreign Minister Blinken Safari Starting From Egypt, Galang Supports Ceasefire In Gaza

JAKARTA - United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to arrive in Cairo today to garner support for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza proposed by US President Joe Biden.

Blinken will also travel to Israel, Jordan and Qatar this week.

US President Joe Biden on May 31, outlined a three-phase ceasefire proposal from Israel aimed at ending the permanent hostilities, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Hamas attacks killed 1,200 people and took about 250 others hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

In response to this, Israel launched a relentless attack on the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled region said in its latest report on Sunday, June 9.

Israeli forces rescued four hostages detained by Hamas since October 2023 in an attack on Gaza on Saturday, June 8 which killed 274 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Blinken's visit came as Israeli Minister Benny Gantz announced his resignation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's emergency government, drawing the only centristial power in the far-right coalition of leaders who during the war in Gaza.

Blinken on this week's trip will discuss with his partners the need to reach a ceasefire agreement that guarantees the release of all hostages, as well as the need to prevent conflict from increasing further, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement on Friday, June 7.

"He will emphasize the importance of Hamas accepting the proposal," Miller added.

US officials say because this is Israel's plan, Israel will most likely accept it. Qatar said Israel needed to give a clear position regarding the plan that represents the entire government, which part of it.