# US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel as part of Washington’s renewed efforts to broker a ceasefire in the ten-month-old conflict in Gaza. A new ceasefire plan drawn up by the US, Qatar, and Egypt was presented last Friday following two days of high-stakes talks in Doha. Mediators have been stepping up efforts amid fears of Iranian retaliation for the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran. US officials have expressed fresh optimism about finalising a ceasefire agreement.
US Secretary of State in Israel to push for a ceasefire and hostage deal