At the start of his meeting with Blinken, the Israeli President was cited by the Times of Israel as blaming Hamas for failure to reach a hostage deal stating that "people have to understand it starts with a refusal of Hamas to move forward."
During his visit, Blinken is set to meet Israeli leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as the White House indicates that a deal is ready to be closed.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is continuing operational activities in Gaza where its troops are eliminating armed terrorists. Over the past day, the troops eliminated approximately 20 terrorists.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday that there were references to Gaza by countries participating in the third Voice of Global South Summit and the sentiment was that the situation needs to go back to ceasefire and negotiations
During the past month, Israeli combat engineers have destroyed approximately 50 Hamas tunnel routes in the area of the Egypt-Gaza border, the Israel Defense Forces said on Thursday. The announcement came as Israeli and Arab leaders were due to resume ceasefire negotiations in Qatar.
Egypt, Qatar, and the United States announced Friday in a joint statement that senior officials from the three countries will meet again in Cairo before the end of next week in a new round of talks, hoping to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken is set to embark on visit to Israel on Saturday, August 17, to push for efforts to conclude the agreement for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as the release of hostages from Gaza.
Israeli soldiers continued pressing Hamas in southern Gaza, eliminating 20 terrorists in Rafah over the last day, the Israel Defense Forces said on Thursday morning.
Amid the volatile situation in the Middle East after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's assassination, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that its aim is to turn the temperature down in the middle region, deter and defend against any future attacks.
A team of 25 Indonesian doctors have collaborated with the UAE medical professionals to provide healthcare services aboard the Emirati Floating Hospital in Al Arish, Egypt.
Abbas' visit to Russia is taking place against the backdrop of Egypt, Qatar and the United States calling on Israel and the Hamas movement to resume discussions on a ceasefire in Gaza.