The aggravation of the situation in the Middle East threatens to disrupt the efforts to conclude a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. This was stated by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the US-Australian negotiations in the "two plus two" format.

One reason to avoid the escalation of tension in the Middle East is that it could derail a cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip, Blinken said at a news conference in Annapolis, USA. The escalation of tension in itself is a bad thing, but it can also hinder the completion of the ceasefire talks, the US Secretary of State emphasized.

In his opinion, there is no reason why this deal should not be signed soon.

All parties should bring it to the end, Blinken added.