Washington says top US diplomat Antony Blinken reiterated to his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar during a meeting in Malta that “Israel must do more to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza”, Al Jazeera reports.

However, Blinken has said repeatedly that Israel is not blocking aid to Gaza.

“The Secretary emphasised the urgency of bringing all of the hostages home, ending the war in Gaza, and establishing a path for the post-conflict period that provides lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” the US State Department said in a statement describing the meeting.

It added that Blinken reaffirmed to Saar the US commitment to Israel’s security.

“The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also discussed the ongoing cessation of hostilities in Lebanon and the importance of ensuring the agreement is fully implemented,” the statement said.