Blinken wraps up frantic Mideast tour with tepid, if any, support for pauses in Gaza fighting

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has concluded his Middle East diplomatic tour in Turkey, with limited success in his efforts to ease civilian suffering in Gaza. Blinken's proposal for "humanitarian pauses" to Israel's military campaign in Gaza has been met with resistance from Israel, while Arab and Muslim nations are demanding an immediate cease-fire. The Biden administration is seeking to convince Israel to respect the laws of war and increase humanitarian aid to Gaza.