US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said today that he discussed with Qatar’s prime minister about preventing any state or non-state actor from expanding the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Speaking to the media with Qatari Prime Minister al-Thani by his side after their meeting, Blinken said the US was working intensively to secure the release of the hostages kidnapped in Gaza by Hamas militants during their attack.

Qatar tries to open humanitarian corridor so aid can reach Gaza Stripthe Prime Minister of Qatar said in a joint press conference with the US Secretary of State.

Al-Thani called on partners, especially the United States, to save civilians from the consequences of this crisis.

Blinken today called on Israel to minimize civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip where its army has launched ground offensives in anticipation of a possible offensive in response to a deadly attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

“We have pressed the Israelis to take all possible precautions to avoid harming civilians,” he told a news conference in Doha after talks with Qatari officials.

“We recognize that many Palestinian families in Gaza are suffering through no fault of their own and that Palestinian civilians have lost their lives,” he added. He stressed, however, that Israel has the right to self-defense after the “unacceptable” attacks by Hamas.

Blinken congratulated Qatar — which has long-standing ties to Hamas — for showing a willingness to help free some of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas.

Binken arrived in Doha today after meeting in Amman with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas following his visit to Israel. It is also expected to move to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

The unprecedented attack by Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007 and advocates armed struggle against Israel, left at least 1,300 dead in Israel. The Israeli military responded by carrying out hundreds of devastating raids on the Gaza Strip, killing 1,799 people, including more than 580 children.