Blinken to visit Israel to push for ceasefire deal

US President Joe Biden said that he was sending Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Israel to push for a Gaza ceasefire deal after the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. “It’s time for this war to end and bring these hostages home. So that’s what we’re ready to do, and I’m sending Tony Blinken to Israel,” Mr Biden said after arriving in Germany. He added that the visit would happen in “four or five days”.