Israel-Hamas war: Blinken to urge cease-fire on Mideast trip

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is to visit Egypt and Israel as fears rise of an escalating Israel-Lebanon conflict
• The US says it has asked for a UN Security Council vote on Washington's draft resolution backing a plan for an "immediate cease-fire" between Israel and Hamas.

 Here is a roundup of developments from the Israel-Hamas war on Monday, June 10:

06/10/2024June 10, 2024

US seeks Security Council backing for cease-fire plan

The US said Sunday it had requested a UN Security Council vote on its draft resolution supporting a plan for an "immediate cease-fire with the release of hostages" between Israel and Hamas. 

"Today, the United States called for the Security Council to move towards a vote [...] supporting the proposal on the table," said Nate Evans, spokesman for the US delegation to the world body.

He did not specify any date for the vote.

06/10/2024June 10, 2024

US' Blinken to visit Egypt, Israel to push cease-fire proposal

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Egypt and Israel on Monday as Washington seeks to increase pressure on Hamas and Israel to reach a cease-fire in Gaza.

It is Blinken's eighth visit to the region since Israel launched its offensive in the Gaza Strip in response to an October 7 attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel, during which some 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage.

The trip comes at a critical time in the conflict as hostilities are escalating with Lebanon's Hezbollah, which has been attacking Israel in solidarity with Hamas, the rulers of Gaza.

It also follows the May 31 announcement by US President Joe Biden of a three-phase cease-fire proposal that envisions a permanent end to fighting in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and the reconstruction of the Palestinian territory.

Blinken will start his visit in Egypt before heading to Israel later on Monday, with meetings planned with both Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo and with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

Hamas has yet to formally respond to the cease-fire plan, but in comments carried by Reuters news agency, a senior official from the group said it was "ready to deal positively with any initiative that secures an end to the war." Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization by the US, Germany, the EU and other governments.

Blinken will also visit Jordan and Qatar before joining Biden at the Group of Seven summit in Italy starting June 13.

tj/kb (Reuters, AFP)