Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and West Bank in latest push

US Secretary of State will be making his fifth trip to the region since October 7

Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a news conference last month. AP

Live updates: Follow the latest from Israel-Gaza

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will head back to the Middle East on Sunday, embarking on yet another round of shuttle diplomacy as he tries to keep the war in Gaza from spiralling into a broader conflict.

Mr Blinken will travel to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel and the West Bank for four days of diplomatic efforts.

He will focus on securing the “release of all remaining hostages” from Gaza as well as push for a “humanitarian pause” that will allow more aid to reach Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

In addition, Mr Blinken will work to “prevent the spread of the conflict”, which is threatening to turn into a broader regional war, with tension raging along the Israel-Lebanon border, in the Red Sea and in Syria, Iraq and Jordan, where three US soldiers were killed on Sunday.

“The secretary will also continue discussions with partners on how to establish a more integrated, peaceful region that includes lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” Mr Miller said.

Mr Blinken was most recently in the region at the beginning of January when he travelled to Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel and the occupied West Bank.

Antony Blinken says scenes from Gaza are 'gut-wrenching' – video

Since October 7, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack, Mr Blinken has made repeated trips to the region trying to keep the conflict contained and to get more aid into Gaza amid while supporting Israel's right to defend itself.

Gaza officials say Israel has killed close to 27,000 people in the densely populated enclave since October 7.

Washington has been Israel's biggest ally throughout the war, twice vetoing UN resolutions calling for a ceasefire and sending weapons and ammunition to the Israeli military.

But as the military campaign in Gaza drags on, pressure on President Joe Biden's administration to prevent further bloodshed has increased.

On Friday, more than 800 civil servants in the US, UK and EU signed a letter demanding their respective governments halt unconditional support for Israel and take the necessary steps to help ensure a ceasefire.

The Israel-Gaza war – in pictures

Houthi fighters shout gather in Sanaa. The rebels have launched attacks in the Red Sea in response to the Gaza war. EPA

From left, Israeli Foreign Ministry adviser Tal Becker, lawyer Malcolm Shaw and Gilad Noam, deputy attorney general for international affairs, at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. AFP

A Palestinian man injured in an Israeli strike receives treatment in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. AP

Palestinian medics mourn after members of the Palestinian Red Crescent were killed in an Israeli strike in Deir Al Balah. Reuters

Israeli soldiers take up positions during a ground operation in Khan Younis. AP

Mourners gather at Al Najar hospital in Rafah, after several relatives of a member of the Hamas general military council were killed in a strike. AFP

Palestinians wait to receive food aid in Rafah. AP

A mass grave in Rafah. More than 23,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7. AFP

Palestinians search the rubble of destroyed buildings after an Israeli attack on Rafah. AFP

Injured Palestinians receive treatment at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis. AFP

Smoke rises over Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, as seen from Rafah, during sustained Israeli air strikes. AFP

The destruction has spread throughout the Gaza Strip, from the north to Rafah in the south. Reuters

Israeli soldiers stand on an armoured personnel carrier near the Israel-Gaza border, in southern Israel. Reuters

Smoke rises following Israeli air strikes in Khan Younis, the southern Gaza Strip. EPA

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu receives a security briefing with commanders and soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip. AP

Palestinians mourn their relatives killed in an Israeli strike on the Al Maghazi refugee camp. AFP

A Palestinian man detained by the Israeli military awaits treatment for his injuries in Rafah. AFP