Blinken says ’decisive moment’ for Gaza ceasefire talks

US secretary of state Antony Blinken has used a visit to Israel to warn that upcoming negotiations for a Gaza truce could be the “last opportunity” to return hostages held by Hamas and end the war that threatens to spiral into a conflict with Iran. Blinken met Isaac Herzog, the Israeli president, and will later on Monday meet Benyamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, before travelling to Egypt, which has been mediating the talks alongside Qatar. The US had put forward a bridging proposal in talks held last week in Qatar, and wants both Israel and Hamas to accept when the negotiations resume in Cairo in a few days. Read the best of our journalism: Subscribe to The Times and The Sunday Times YouTube channel: Find us on Facebook: Find us on Twitter: Find us on Instagram: