Blinken seeks progress on Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal in meetings in Egypt

UN humanitarian monitors said on Tuesday that Israeli evacuation orders now cover two thirds of Gaza’s territory, driving thousands more people every day towards the border areas.

Antony Blinken is in Cairo for meetings (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

US secretary of state Antony Blinken has arrived in Cairo for a meeting with Egyptian leaders that US officials said would concentrate mainly on the task of negotiating a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in exchange for the release of hostages held by the militants.

Mr Blinken’s visit also comes amid growing concerns in Egypt about Israel’s stated intentions to expand the combat in Gaza to areas on the Egyptian border that are crammed with displaced Palestinians.