Blinken in Israel as US supports call for immediate Gaza ceasefire

Summary

1. Antony Blinken is in Israel ahead of a UN vote on a US draft resolution which supports calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas
2. It is the first time the US has supported calls for an immediate ceasefire in the region, having previously blocked such demands at the UN
3. The US secretary of state has been in the Middle East to discuss a post-war plan to govern and secure Gaza
4. The US is trying to bring together a deal that would put the internationally-recognised Palestinian Authority back into Gaza
5. A UN-backed food security assessment this week said 1.1 million people in Gaza were struggling with catastrophic hunger and starvation
6. Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and taking 253 others hostage
7. Hamas says more than 31,900 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its retaliatory offensive to eliminate Hamas