Middle East conflict live updates: Blinken in Israel to discuss proposal to free hostages and pause fighting

The hostage proposal calls for an initial six-week cessation of fighting and the release of all hostages held since Oct. 7. In return, Israel would release three Palestinian prisoners for each hostage. There are about 100 hostages believed to still be alive, and Israeli military officials say at least 31 have died since the start of the war.

Blinken is on his fifth visit to the region since the war in Gaza began. He is set to meet Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog and top defense officials, as well as Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels fired six anti-ship ballistic missiles from Yemen toward commercial vessels in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday, U.S. Central Command said. One exploded, causing minor damage to a Greek-owned bulk carrier, and another was intercepted by U.S. forces. The others hit the water with no impact on nearby ships.

At least 27,585 people have been killed and 66,978 injured in the Gaza Strip since the war began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israel estimates that about 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack.