For months, the US along with Qatar and Egypt has been working to broker an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas to end the conflict and facilitate the release of hostages and prisoners.

Antony Blinken, the United States’ Secretary of State, has been scheduled to visit Egypt on Tuesday to engage in discussions with Egyptian officials about a potential ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, the State Department has announced.

For months, the US along with Qatar and Egypt has been working to broker an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas to end the conflict and facilitate the release of hostages and prisoners.

Key challenges include Israel’s insistence on maintaining its military presence in the Philadelphi corridor to create a buffer between Gaza and Egypt, and negotiating the terms for exchanging hostages with Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, Reuters reports. 

According to the State Department, Blinken’s visit aims to advance a deal that secures the release of all hostages, alleviates the suffering of Palestinians, and enhances regional security.

The current escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on October 7 of last year, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of around 250 hostages. 

In response, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have resulted in over 41,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health authorities, and displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza. 

The conflict has also led to a severe humanitarian crisis and allegations of genocide against Israel, which the country denies.