Officials view the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as a chance to revive hostage-release talks, but the Biden administration’s sway with Israel has waned.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will depart for the Middle East on Monday, the State Department said, as Washington is pushing to kickstart ceasefire negotiations to end the Gaza war following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will make another push for a ceasefire when he heads to the Middle East, seeking to kick-start negotiations to end the Gaza war and also defuse the spillover conflict in Lebanon.