U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized, in a phone call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the necessity for Israel to take all possible measures to avoid harming civilians.

According to a statement published on its website today, Saturday, the U.S. Department of State said that Blinken and Gallant discussed active efforts to facilitate the release of all remaining hostages and increase the levels of humanitarian aid reaching Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

Blinken affirmed, according to the statement, the United States' commitment to advancing tangible steps towards achieving a future Palestinian state.

He also highlighted the importance of measures aimed at preventing the expansion of the conflict, including positive steps to ease tensions in the West Bank and avoid escalation in Lebanon.