US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed with the United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, Reuters reports.

They also discussed efforts to secure the release of hostages and increase humanitarian assistance, the US mission to the Gulf Arab state has said.

According to US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller, Blinken reiterated the US commitment to reach an agreement and also “emphasised the importance of preventing the conflict from escalating”.

Blinken expressed appreciation for the UAE’s “significant humanitarian support for Gazans, including this week’s evacuation of 148 Palestinians in urgent need of medical treatment”.