In call with FM, Blinken stresses efforts to free hostages

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen held another phone call this morning with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the ongoing Gaza war, the State Department says.

The US readout offers little new information but says the two discussed “US support for Israel as it defends itself against Hamas’s terrorist attacks.”

Blinken “reiterated US condolences to the people of Israel and all those impacted by Hamas’ violence and reaffirmed our efforts to secure the immediate release of all hostages.”

Blinken also held a phone call with with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna during which the two “reiterated their condemnation of Hamas’s terrorist attacks on Israel.”

Blinken called for an immediate cessation of these attacks and the release of all hostages.”

Blinken “welcomed continued French engagement alongside other European allies and partners toward our shared goal of ending Hamas’s violence,” the State Department says.