Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the need to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during a meeting in Manama, Anadolu Agency reports, citing the Bahrain News Agency.

The king emphasised the “need to reach a ceasefire, protect civilians, release hostages and detainees, as well as ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law, and prevent their displacement”.

The agency quoted Blinken as confirming US “support for taking concrete measures to establish a Palestinian State, stressing his rejection of forced displacement of the Palestinians, whether in Gaza or the West Bank”.