Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel to Israel on August 17 to continue intensive diplomatic efforts aimed at concluding an agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages and detainees. The bridging proposal, presented today by the United States with support from Egypt and Qatar, seeks to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of all hostages, ensure humanitarian assistance is distributed throughout Gaza, and create conditions for broader regional stability.
Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel emphasized that Secretary Blinken will underscore the critical need for all parties in the region to avoid escalation or any actions that could undermine the ability to finalize an agreement.