Blinken pushes for progress on Gaza cease-fire-for-hostages deal in meetings with Egyptian mediators

CAIRO (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed ahead with a diplomatic tour of the Middle East on Tuesday, meeting Egyptian leaders as part of his efforts to secure a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war in exchange for the release of hostages. Blinken's visit also comes amid growing concerns in Egypt about Israel's stated intentions to expand the combat in Gaza to areas on the Egyptian border that are crammed with displaced Palestinians. Israel's defense minister has said Israel's offensive will eventually reach the town of Rafah, on...