The US State Department has said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed efforts with Israeli war cabinet member Minister Benny Gantz to accelerate the transit of humanitarian aid into Gaza Strip.

According to Reuters, the US diplomat also discussed efforts to prevent the Gaza conflict from widening and to secure the release of hostages.

Blinken reaffirmed the importance of concrete steps to minimise harm to Palestinian civilians in all of Gaza.

He stressed the urgent need for affirmative steps to de-escalate tensions in West Bank, including by confronting rising levels of settler extremist violence. He further emphasised that the United States “remains committed to advancing a two-state solution”.