A senior Biden administration official told The Washington Post on Sunday that the U.S. has been discussing with mediators Qatar and Egypt about a final “take it or leave

Hamas declared its willingness for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza based on a previous U.S. proposal, following discussions led by senior official Khalil al-Hayya with mediators from Qatar and Egypt. Despite extensive negotiations,

Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits the Middle East in his latest attempt to secure a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas with the support of Egypt and Qatar, though no breakthroughs are expected.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Egypt on Tuesday to discuss a Gaza ceasefire and release of hostages with Egyptian officials, the State Department said. Washington and mediators Qatar and Egypt have for months sought to reach a deal between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas to halt the war and release Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken departed for Egypt on Tuesday but his visit to the region will notably omit a stop in Israel, amid rising doubts that a ceasefire and hostage deal can be agreed to before President Joe Biden leaves office.