U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States will work to finalize a ceasefire deal in Gaza and will continue to push for its approval.

During a press conference with his Qatari counterpart on Wednesday evening, he added that his country is determined, in cooperation with Egypt and Qatar, to bridge the gap between the two sides (Hamas and Israel).

He pointed out that "Hamas is the party responsible for the war that began on October 7," emphasizing that the movement "cannot and will not be allowed to determine the fate of the region and its peoples."

Regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza, he noted that the stories and suffering of Palestinian civilians, as well as Israelis, are a motivation to put an end to the conflict and to follow a path towards lasting security and peace.