U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says that a major Israeli ground assault on the southern Gaza town of Rafah would be “a mistake” and unnecessary to defeating Hamas. His comments underscore the further souring of relations between the United States and Israel. Blinken is on his sixth urgent Mideast mission since the war began. He spoke Thursday after huddling with top Arab diplomats in Cairo for discussions over efforts for a cease-fire and over ideas for Gaza’s post-conflict future. He said an “immediate, sustained cease-fire” with the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas is urgently needed and that gaps are narrowing in indirect negotiations that U.S., Egypt and Qatar have spent weeks mediating.