US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken discussed by telephone on Sunday with Israeli Ministers Benny Gantz and Yoav Gallant the ceasefire proposal in Gaza that President Joe Biden had announced.

The US State Department reported in two separate statements, “Blinken spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant today about the proposal to achieve a complete ceasefire in Gaza as part of the hostage deal, secure the release of all hostages, and increase humanitarian aid throughout Gaza. Blinken praised the willingness to "Israel to conclude an agreement and stressed that the responsibility for acceptance lies with Hamas."

According to the statement, Blinken stressed that the proposal would advance Israel’s long-term security interests, including by enabling the possibility of further integration in the region, reaffirming the United States’ firm commitment to Israel’s security.

In a second statement, the US State Department said, “Blinken spoke with Israeli Minister Benny Gantz about the proposal, praising Israel’s presentation of the proposal and stressing that Hamas must accept the deal without delay.”

Blinken reiterated that “in addition to reuniting the hostages with their loved ones, the proposal would advance Israel’s long-term security interests, including opening the possibility of calm along Israel’s border with Lebanon that would allow Israelis to return to their homes.”