US Secretary of State in WASHINGTON (Reuters) Antony Blinken will leave for the Middle East on Monday to meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials, among other regional leaders, as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appeared to hold. for the fourth consecutive day.

Blinken will travel to Jerusalem, Ramallah, Cairo and Amman until Thursday and meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and King Abdullah of Jordan, the State Department announced.

US President Joe Biden, announcing the visit, said he had asked the top US diplomat to make the trip following diplomatic efforts to end the worst outbreak of fighting between Israel and Hamas of the year .

“Blinken will meet with Israeli leaders about our absolute commitment to Israel’s security. He will continue our administration’s efforts to rebuild ties and support the Palestinian people and leadership after years of neglect,” Biden said in a statement. press release published by White. Housing.

Blinken will also discuss “the international effort to ensure that immediate assistance reaches Gaza in a way that benefits the people there and not Hamas, and reducing the risk of further conflict in the months to come.” Biden added.

Gaza is ruled by Hamas. Israel has blocked Gaza since 2007, claiming it prevents Hamas from bringing in weapons.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey, editing by Ed Osmond and Nick Macfie)