US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Arab governments to pressure Hamas to accept the proposed ceasefire during his visit to Cairo on Monday.

Also Read: Blinken’s eighth Middle East tour: Will he finally achieve ceasefire?

"My message to governments throughout the region... if you want a ceasefire, press Hamas to say yes," he told reporters in Cairo, his first stop on the 8th tour to the region since Oct. 7.

Upon his arrival in the Egyptian capital, Blinken claimed that Hamas is the primary obstacle to reaching a ceasefire agreement.

He emphasized that accepting a ceasefire is the most effective way to end the ongoing aggression on Gaza and to secure the release of all captives, including Americans.

Also Read: US to potentially negotiate unilateral deal with Hamas to free American captives

"I believe strongly... that the overwhelming majority of people, whether they're in Israel, the West Bank, in Gaza... actually want to believe in a future where Israelis and Palestinians would live in peace and security,” Blinken added.

Blinken also mentioned that the US is working to provide additional aid to Gaza, regardless of reaching a formal agreement.