Blinken to return to Middle East to discuss Gaza ceasefire deal, Syria transition

The US State Department confirms Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be heading to Jordan and Turkey to discuss efforts to secure a captives exchange deal in Gaza and advance a peaceful transition in Syria.

"He will discuss the need for the transition process and new government in Syria to respect the rights of minorities, facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance, prevent Syria from being used as a base of terrorism or posing a threat to its neighbors, and ensure that chemical weapons stockpiles are secured and safely destroyed," a US readout says.

"He will also discuss the urgent need to conclude a ceasefire agreement in Gaza that secures the release of hostages, facilitate additional humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Palestinian civilians, and continue to implement the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah."