Blinken discusses Gaza ceasefire with El-Sisi

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to discuss the latest round of Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

Blinken is also meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

The US and Egypt have been working together to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The two sides have been engaged in a conflict that has killed hundreds of people.

The US has been urging both sides to reach a ceasefire and return to the negotiating table.

Blinken's visit to Egypt is part of a wider diplomatic effort to de-escalate the conflict.

He is expected to meet with other regional leaders in the coming days.

The US has so far declined to provide details of the bridging proposal.

But it is understood to involve a ceasefire that would be followed by talks on a longer-term resolution.

Israel has welcomed the US proposal but Hamas has yet to comment.

The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing for several weeks.

It has caused widespread damage and suffering.

The UN has called for an immediate ceasefire.

The US is Israel's closest ally.

But it has also been critical of Israel's actions in Gaza.

Blinken's visit to Egypt is a sign that the US is taking a more active role in trying to resolve the conflict.

It is hoped that his meetings with El-Sisi and Shoukry will help to pave the way for a ceasefire.