Blinken heads to Middle East a sixth time in Gaza diplomacy push

Nearly 32,000 people have been confirmed killed in Israel's retaliatory onslaught, according to Palestinian health officials

Palestinians inspect the damage to a house after an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

US secretary of state Antony Blinken returns to the Middle East on Wednesday for his sixth visit since the start of Israel's war with Hamas to push for a deal to secure a temporary pause in fighting and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Blinken will meet Saudi leaders in Jeddah and Egyptian leaders in Cairo to discuss talks brokered by Egypt and Qatar on an agreement as well as efforts to get more aid into Gaza, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.