US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Monday, January 30, Israelis and Palestinians for "calm" and "the de-escalation of tensions" from Cairo, a key interlocutor in the conflict in the Middle East, shortly before flying to Jerusalem and Ramallah.

Against the background of the outbreak of violence in the Holy City and in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Mr. Blinken pleaded for an "easing of tensions".