U.S. Secretary of State "Gaza hostage and ceasefire negotiations resume within days"

U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken, who is on a Middle East tour, said he would visit Qatar to resume negotiations on a cease-fire to free Gaza hostages in the coming days.

"We discussed the next steps to make the most of this moment and develop the negotiation process," Blinken told a joint press conference after meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdulrahman Altani on the 23rd local time, AFP reported.

"It's time to end the war, send all hostages home, and create a better future for the people of Gaza," Blinken said.

"We will allow Israeli forces to withdraw, Hamas to not be rebuilt, and Palestinians to rebuild their daily lives and futures," he added.

"There have been several meetings in the last few days with representatives of the Hamas political bureau in Doha," said Sheikh Muhammad.

The U.S., Qatar and Egypt are mediating a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.