THE US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called her Hamas to accept “no more delays” the proposal for ceasefire in Gazawhich includes the release of hostages held in the Palestinian enclave.

“No more delays, no more excuses. Now we must act.” Blinken told reporters in Jordan shortly before departing for Israel on his seventh tour of the region since the war began nearly seven months ago. “We want to see this deal implemented within the next few days,” he emphasized.

When asked about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s intention to unleash ground attack on Rafa, the city in the southern Gaza Strip that has become a haven for 1.5 million displaced Palestinians, Blinken said Washington’s priority is reaching a ceasefire agreement. “This is the best way, the most effective way, to relieve suffering and create the kind of environment that will allow us to hopefully lead to something truly sustainable and bring sustainable peace to people who desperately need it.” , he added.

At talks in Israel on Wednesday, Blinken said he would discuss with Netanyahu what steps need to be taken to increase aid to Gaza. Although there has been some improvement in the humanitarian situation in the densely populated enclave, he stressed that much more needs to be done to ensure that aid reaches people.

Blinken said the first aid shipments directly from Jordan bound for the recently reopened Erez border crossing in northern Gaza will leave within the day, while goods arrive through the port of Ashdod. The new sea corridor will be ready in about a week, he added. “But a lot still needs to be done. We need a de-escalation mechanism that is effective and works – this is a work in progress.”commented.

According to the US minister, there should also be a clear list of the items needed in Gaza to avoid “arbitrary refusals” of their entry into the pocket.