Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and War Cabinet member Benny Gantz, on May 1 as the United States hopes to facilitate a temporary cease-fire in the ongoing Israel–Hamas war and advance other humanitarian considerations amid the conflict.
“The Secretary discussed ongoing efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as part of a hostage deal and emphasized that it is Hamas that is standing in the way of a ceasefire,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller announced after Mr. Blinken arrived in Israel for the talks.
