Blinken says Hamas signoff still needed on Gaza ceasefire

US secretary of state hails ‘hopeful sign’ of endorsement after meeting Israeli officials to discuss UN-approved deal

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said endorsement of the UN security council ceasefire resolution by Hamas officials was a “hopeful sign”, but the group’s leadership in Gaza needed to sign off on the deal.

Blinken, who is in Israel as part of his eighth regional trip since the war began, said the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had “reaffirmed his commitment” to the ceasefire plan outlined by the US, although it has not been formally accepted by either party to the conflict.