US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has discussed with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi the negotiations to secure an immediate ceasefire for at least six weeks in Gaza and the release of all hostages taken by Hamas, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

According to Reuters, the top US diplomat is in Egypt after visiting Saudi Arabia a day earlier, as part of his latest Middle East tour.

He also discussed with Sisi the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel.