U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken met the Israeli President, Isaac Herzog on Tuesday to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The negotiation was part of the efforts by the U.S. Qatar and Egypt on Gaza, the meeting was delayed for months.

Mr Blinken’s trip to the Middle East aimed to garner support for the latest proposal for a ceasefire in three phases.

The UN Security Council clarified the multi-stage plan presented by U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday in New York.

According to the U.S. only the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement had not agreed to the plan.

However, the government of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has not given its clear and public approval to the plan either.

Mr Blinken arrived in Egypt on Monday for the first leg of the tour and later held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

According to a statement by the U.S. State Department, Mr Blinken told Netanyahu that “the United States and other world leaders will stand behind the comprehensive proposal outlined by President Biden.’’

Mr Blinken in the statement also “updated the prime minister on ongoing diplomatic efforts to plan for the post-conflict period.”

He also met opposition leader Yair Lapid on Tuesday and is due to hold talks with Israeli lawmaker Benny Gantz.

Benny Gantz had just quit the Israeli emergency government formed following the October 7 attacks.

Mr Blinken’s Middle East tour is expected to last until Wednesday and also includes a stop in Qatar.

(dpa/NAN)