Top diplomat Blinken will visit the Mideast again this coming week

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is traveling to Saudi Arabia on Monday to attend a World Economic Forum conference and meet with Arab foreign ministers in Riyadh. Blinken will discuss efforts to achieve a cease-fire in Gaza that secures the release of hostages. On Saturday, Hamas said it was studying the latest Israeli counterproposal regarding a potential ceasefire in Gaza. Read our blog to see how the day's events unfolded.

10:43pm: Some US officials say in internal memo Israel may be violating international law in Gaza

Some senior U.S. officials have advised Secretary of State Antony Blinken that they do not find “credible or reliable” Israel’s assurances that it is using U.S.-supplied weapons in accordance with international humanitarian law, according to an internal State Department memo reviewed by Reuters.

Other officials upheld support for Israel’s representation.

Under a National Security Memorandum (NSM) issued by President Joe Biden in February, Blinken must report to Congress by May 8 whether he finds credible Israel’s assurances that its use of U.S. weapons does not violate U.S. or international law.

8:55pm:Top diplomat Blinken will visit the Mideast again this coming week

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is returning to the Middle East on his seventh diplomatic mission to the region since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began more than six months ago, the State Department said Saturday.

Blinken is traveling to Saudi Arabia on Monday, just two days since arriving back in Washington after a trip to China. Blinken will attend a World Economic Forum conference and meet with Arab foreign ministers in Riyadh, the Saudi capital.


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