Egypt

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken concluded his ninth diplomatic tour of the Middle East on Wednesday without securing a ceasefire in Gaza as violence continues to surge in the Middle East.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone call to discuss ongoing efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza, as Blinken concluded his ninth wartime tour of the Middle East.

Top U.S. diplomat Antony Blinken said Tuesday that "time is of the essence" to secure a Gaza truce as he wrapped up a Middle East tour with a plea for a deal.

Azerbaijan has submitted a formal application to join the BRICS alliance, which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—a move that has been welcomed by Russia.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizada announced the application during an interview with Anadolu Agency, stating, "Azerbaijan has officially applied to become a member of BRICS."

Hamas on Tuesday condemned U.S. President Joe Biden's assertion that the group was withdrawing from a Gaza truce agreement , labeling his comments as a "green light" for Israel to continue its military actions.

The Palestinian militant organization stated that Biden's "misleading claims... do not reflect the true position of the movement, which is keen to reach a ceasefire" deal.

A total of 76 irregular migrants from Syria, Egypt, Sudan and Bangladesh traveling in three separate boats landed on the shores of Gavdos, a tiny island south of Crete, in the early hours of Tuesday.

The passengers of the vessels, which included six children and four women, were helped to reach dry land by local fishermen, according to reports.

In three boats, 76 migrants arrived Gavdos in the early hours, and landed with the help of fishermen on the island.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Monday that Israel has agreed to a bridging proposal aimed at advancing ceasefire talks, and urged Hamas to do the same before further negotiations set for later this week. Speaking from Tel Aviv, Blinken revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel's acceptance of the proposal during a constructive meeting.

This picture taken from Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip shows smoke billowing over the Hamad residential towers in Khan Yunis in the south following Israeli bombardment on Aug. 17, 2024.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced that the Israeli government has accepted the proposal put forward by the US last week for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

While in Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and other officials, Blinken also called on Hamas to agree to the ceasefire.