US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s Official Visit to Cairo
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi welcomed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Cairo, marking Blinken’s sixth visit to the Middle East since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began.
President Al-Sissi emphasized the critical importance of an immediate ceasefire, expressing concern over the humanitarian crisis and the looming threat of famine for civilians in Gaza. He particularly highlighted the dire situation in the town of Rafah, where nearly 1.5 million Palestinians are seeking shelter.
The day before arriving in Cairo, Antony Blinken had held discussions in Saudi Arabia focusing on securing a ceasefire in Gaza, negotiating the release of prisoners and hostages, and enhancing international humanitarian efforts, as reported by Matthew Miller, spokesman for the US State Department.
Later on Thursday, Blinken was scheduled to meet with Arab foreign ministers to explore broader security arrangements for Israel and discuss the role of Arab states in overseeing the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip post-war.
Blinken’s upcoming trip to Israel on Friday aims to facilitate discussions for a ceasefire agreement while also addressing US concerns regarding Israel’s intentions to expand its ground offensive into Rafah, a town situated in the southern Gaza Strip.
