An escalation in tensions in the Middle East over the detonation of Hezbollah pagers threatened to overshadow U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's latest regional diplomacy push, as he met senior Egyptian officials on Wednesday hoping to advance efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and improve ties with Cairo.

During his visit, Blinken met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other senior officials. According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, Blinken’s discussions in Cairo focused on finding a cease-fire proposal acceptable to both Israel and Hamas.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the U.S. is still assessing the impact that a deadly series of pager explosions linked to Israel in Lebanon may have on U.S.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hopes to advance efforts to achieve a ceasefire deal in Gaza as well as strengthen bilateral ties with Cairo when he visits Egypt on Wednesday amid concern about escalating Middle East tensions.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Egypt for talks Thursday including efforts to try to find progress in achieving a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in the war in Gaza. Blinken’s schedule includes meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.