NPR: “Leaders around the world welcomed news of a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas early Friday after days of hostilities killed altogether at least 250 people, including some 70 children. After 11 days of the worst fighting in the region since 2014, global leaders called for both sides to resolve the decades-long conflict and to build a lasting, peaceful and stable future. President Joe Biden’s administration held ‘intense, high-level discussions hour by hour’ with the Israelis, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt and others to reach the truce. He said Thursday that there is a ‘genuine opportunity’ to build on the progress. The U.S. appears ready to continue its involvement in the region. Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted early Friday that he will visit the region in the coming days and that he looks ‘forward to meeting the Foreign Minister and other Israeli, Palestinian, and regional leaders.'”