US Secretary of State Blinken arrives in Middle East to 'solidify' Israel-Gaza cease-fire |

 United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Tuesday for talks with Israeli and Palestinian Authority officials, among other regional leaders, following last week's cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, vowing to "rally international support'' while working to address the "grave humanitarian situation'' in the coastal territory, but would also ensure that Gaza's militant Hamas rulers do not benefit from reconstruction assistance. Blinken made it clear the US would not be reaching out to Hamas. Washington views Hamas as a terrorist organization. After his stay in Tel Aviv, Blinken will then move on to the West Bank, Ramallah, Cairo and Amman. In addition to Netanyahu, he will also meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah.