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.
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.
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.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a joint statement said they are deeply concerned by the heightened tensions in the region, united in our commitment to de-escalation and regional stability.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office responding to the "the offer of the United States and the mediators," said that Israel will dispatch a delegation to attend negotiations on a ceasefire-for-hostages deal on August 15
Hundreds of people gathered at a mosque in Qatar on Friday for the funeral of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was eliminated in Iran, reported The Times of Israel.
Qatar strongly condemns the killing of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in an attack in Iran's capital, Tehran and stresses that this killing and reckless targeting of civilians will lead the region into chaos and undermine the chances of peace.
The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia on Friday confirmed the return of an Indian national who was stranded in the Gulf nation after being duped by an agent who had promised getting him a job in Qatar.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal further said that following the setting up of the embassy, all New Delhi and Tripoli will work to enhance and expand cooperation.
The invitation was delivered by Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, which he received during his meeting with Sultan bin Salmeen Al Mansouri, Qatar's Ambassador to the UAE, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi.