2023-12-27 22:38:32
(CNN) — An Israeli official told CNN that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is expected to travel to Israel and the Middle East region next week to discuss the next steps in the war between Israel and Hamas.
CNN has contacted the US State Department for comment.
Blinken’s expected trip comes after senior officials in the US administration met with Ron Dermer, who is considered a close associate of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, regarding the next phase of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, on Tuesday evening.
Dermer, a member of the Israeli Defense Cabinet and former ambassador to the United States, left the White House more than 4 hours after his meeting with Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
A White House official told CNN that the discussions covered “the transition to a different phase of the war aimed at maximizing focus on high-value Hamas targets, steps to improve the humanitarian situation and reduce harm to civilians, and – securing the release of the remaining hostages, as well as planning for the future.” Gaza after the conflict.
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