US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed his commitment to extending the pause in the fighting in Gaza during an upcoming visit to Israel. Speaking after a NATO meeting in Brussels, Blinken highlighted the importance of the current pause in the conflict, which has allowed for the release of hostages and the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance.

Blinken emphasized that an extension of the pause would be beneficial for both the United States and Israel, as both countries are focused on ensuring the safe return of their people. Blinken is set to visit Israel as part of his third visit to the Middle East during wartime. He will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah. The current truce in Gaza is set to expire soon, following a six-day pause in the conflict that was triggered by deadly Hamas attacks and Israel's subsequent military offensive in the region.

Hamas has expressed its willingness to extend the truce for four days and release more Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Qatar, a mediator in the conflict, has stated that negotiations are underway to achieve a sustainable ceasefire. So far, 60 Israeli hostages and 180 Palestinian prisoners have been released under the current agreement. Blinken and other mediators will continue to work towards finding a lasting solution to the conflict and securing the safe return of all hostages.