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.

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.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is focusing on brokering a ceasefire in Gaza and strengthening U.S.-Egypt relations during his visit to Cairo. Amid heightened Middle East tensions, Blinken met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and officials to discuss proposals for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostages' release.