Blinken announces aid to Gaza, says Hamas should accept cease-fire deal ‘without delay'

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced an additional $404 million in aid to Gaza as he spoke in Jordan on Tuesday, where he urged Hamas to accept the current cease-fire proposal “without delay” during talks with Middle Eastern leaders.

Blinken, who is touring the Middle East to push for a deal and an exchange of hostages in the Gaza Strip after months of violence and high death tolls, received a boost from a U.S.-sponsored U.N. Security Council resolution backing the plan Monday. Hamas welcomed the resolution.

On Tuesday, Blinken met with United Arab Emirates foreign minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa. During the talks, Blinken stressed that “the current proposal on the table would benefit both Israelis and Palestinians,” according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.