US top diplomat Blinken arrives in Israel, to discuss Gaza truce

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Thursday, his third trip to the region since the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Blinken is set to meet with Israeli leaders to discuss extending the temporary truce that has seen Gaza militants free hostages and Israel release Palestinians from its jails, and how to further boost humanitarian aid into Gaza.

During his trip, Blinken is also expected to visit the Israeli-occupied West Bank and will likely meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a Palestinian official said.