Egypt

The visit next week will come as talks on a cease-fire deal have stalled and tensions have risen over the treatment of civilians in the war.

With the conflict at an apparent impasse, international mediators were gathering in Cairo with hopes of brokering a temporary cease-fire.

For Iman Mersal, the slim novel was “life altering.” She narrates her journey in the footsteps of its largely forgotten author in “Traces of Enayat.”

The evacuees make up only a tiny fraction of the thousands of civilians, including many children, who have suffered grievous injuries over the course of Israel’s monthslong campaign against Hamas and its bombardment of Gaza.

A resolution for the U.N. that American diplomats are circulating was notable for its strong language in seeking a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages.

Antony Blinken, the top U.S. diplomat, is making his sixth trip to the Mideast since Oct. 7. The State Department said he would discuss freeing the hostages and increasing aid to Gaza.

Efforts to secure a cease-fire in Gaza are the backdrop, but the Biden administration also hopes to persuade Saudi Arabia to establish normal relations with Israel.

The International Monetary Fund will provide $8 billion to Egypt, which is going through its worst economic crisis in decades.

Clamor for the precious metal is growing as the buying power of the country’s currency plunges in value against the dollar, and inflation eats away at savings.

The proposal, which calls for indefinite Israeli military control and buffer zones in the territory, rankled Arab nations and was rejected by Palestinians.