Speaking to the press in Tel Aviv after meetings with Israel’s state and political leadership, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said he was in the region “to bring the finish line” to a ceasefire in Gaza and return the hostages in their homes.

The US Secretary of State insisted that the US ceasefire proposal takes into account Israel’s security interests.

Blinken stressed that he had a “very constructive meeting” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that the prime minister “confirmed to me that Israel accept proposal – bridge” proposed by the US last week in Doha in an attempt to find a formula that both Israel and Hamas can accept.

He then threw the “ball” at the terrorist group: “It is now duty of Hamas to do the same (agree)’.

As the US official said, the parties involved must “converge to complete the process of reaching clear understandings on how to implement the commitments they have made under this agreement.”

“The next important step is for Hamas to say yes,” Blinken continued. He stressed that the US is deeply committed to “ending it now.”

However, the American Foreign Minister did not talk about his overthrow military or political control of Hamas in Gaza, both key targets of the Israeli war.

“There is a deep sense of urgency to do this,” he noted, adding that this is the best way to make sure the conflict does not spread.