Blinken Holding Egypt Talks Seeking Gaza Cease-Fire, Humanitarian Aid

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken steps out of a car as he departs for Cairo, in Jeddah on March 21, 2024. Smoke plumes billow after Israeli bombardment over Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on March 20, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Egypt for talks Thursday focused on efforts to secure a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, gain release of hostages held in Gaza and move more humanitarian aid into Gaza to help Palestinian civilians who are badly in need of assistance.