Antony Blinken meets with Qatari PM for ceasefire talks

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has held a meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister to discuss easing tensions and negotiating a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Secretary Blinken emphasised the US' priority of preventing the spread of the conflict – noting an increase in Houthi attacks in shipping lanes as an effect of the war. He also thanked the Qatari government for its role in negotiating a previous ceasefire in November and stressed the importance of increasing the flow of humanitarian aid. The Qatari PM stressed Gaza and the West Bank must remain under Palestinian control, with international recognition as a state, for stable and lasting peace in the region. He says the two also discussed their shared opposition to any forced displacement of Palestinian civilians from Gaza or the West Bank.