Hamas calls on US to pressure Israel into ending war

Hamas senior spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri has urged the US to pressure Israel to halt military actions in the Gaza Strip.

"We call on the American administration to influence the occupiers to stop the war in Gaza. Hamas is ready to positively welcome any initiative that ensures the end of the war," he is quoted as saying by Arab News.

The statement comes ahead of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's eighth visit to the region since the start of the conflict. In addition to Israel, the American envoy will visit Jordan and Qatar.

The plan proposed by US President Joe Biden includes a permanent ceasefire, which would allow Hamas to retain control in Gaza, contrary to Israel's stated war objectives.