US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks in Qatar, a key mediator in the Gaza conflict, as he seeks to build momentum for a ceasefire after Israel’s killing of the leader of Hamas, AFP reports.

Blinken “discussed renewed efforts to secure the release of the hostages and end the war in Gaza” with the Gulf state’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the State Department said.

He later went into talks with Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, with whom he will hold a joint news conference.