US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s latest round of Middle East diplomacy ended on Thursday with a meeting with Israel’s war Cabinet, but he leaves the region deprived of a deal for a truce in Gaza that would have allowed for the return of hostages. The top US diplomat, who was on his fifth trip to the Middle East since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted, said at the meeting with Cabinet officials that the focus was on the hostages and “the strong desire” both the US and Israel have “to see them returned to their families.” Blinken also informed war Cabinet members Benny Gantz and Gab…