Officials view the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as a chance to revive hostage-release talks, but the Biden administration’s sway with Israel has waned.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is expected to depart on Monday in a renewed effort to bring calm to the region. The State Department did not say which other countries he might stop in.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will depart for the Middle East on Monday, the State Department said, as Washington is pushing to kickstart ceasefire negotiations to end the Gaza war following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Israel continues to hammer northern Gaza despite U.S. hopes that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar could be a turning point in the year-old conflict.

Palestinians combed through rubble looking for survivors after an overnight Israeli airstrike hit a residential building in the town of Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza, killing dozens of people, according to Palestinian officials.

Scores of people have been killed in Israeli strikes in northern Gaza this weekend, according to local officials, with the bloodshed in the enclave and continued attacks in Lebanon dimming hopes that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar might breathe new life into cease-fire talks that have been stalled for months.