The United States has seen “measurable progress” in the humanitarian situation in Gaza over the past few weeks, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday (April 29), but urged Israel to do more.

Speaking at the opening of a US-Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Riyadh, Blinken said the most effective way to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was to achieve a ceasefire. He also said Washington continued efforts to prevent the Gaza war from expanding.

The country is the first stop in a broader trip to the Middle East to discuss issues including the governance of Gaza once the war with Israel ends.

Blinken is also expected to bring together Arab countries with the European states and discuss how Europe can help the rebuilding effort of the tiny enclave, which has been reduced to a wasteland in the six-month long Israeli bombardment.

Blinken’s trip comes as Egypt was expected to host leaders of the Islamist group Hamas to discuss prospects for a ceasefire agreement with Israel.

(Reuters)