US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, has emphasised the importance of preventing escalation of the conflict, Reuters quotes the US State Department as saying.

They discussed efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to allow citizens on both sides of the border to return home, and ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held there.

Germany called on all parties to the Middle East conflict, in particular Iran, to prevent an escalation.