JAKARTA - The United States Foreign Minister returned to visit the Middle East, to step up efforts to agree to a ceasefire in the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, after a meeting in Doha Qatar last week.

This is Foreign Minister Blinken's ninth visit to the Middle East since the conflict in Gaza broke out on October 7, 2023. He flew from the United States on Saturday night local time and is expected to arrive on Sunday.

In Israel, he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, at 11 p.m. local time, an Israeli official said, quoted from The Times of Israel August 19.

Apart from Prime Minister Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Blinken is also scheduled to meet with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Israeli Foreign Minister Katz and President Isaac Herzog.

Meanwhile, Israeli negotiators are scheduled to hold further talks in Cairo on Sunday evening, and the working group remains in Doha.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden praised last week's negotiations, warning no party could interfere with efforts to ceasefire the conflict in Gaza.

Another similar summit is reportedly temporarily scheduled, this time in Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday or Thursday.

Separately, health authorities in Gaza announced on Sunday that the death toll of Palestinians in the enclave had reached 40,099, and 92,609 others were injured, quoted from WAFA.


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