US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Hamas to accept an “immediate ceasefire” with Israel as the group met Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Cairo, AFP reports.

“We have an opportunity for an immediate ceasefire that can bring hostages home, that can dramatically increase the amount of humanitarian assistance getting to Palestinians who so desperately need it, and then also set the conditions for an enduring resolution,” Blinken said as he met the Qatari prime minister in Washington.

“It is on Hamas to make decisions about whether it is prepared to engage in that ceasefire,” he said.