TEL AVIV (NEWSnet/AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Monday with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and urged approval of a cease-fire proposal.

With no firm public response yet from Hamas or Israel to a plan announced 10 days ago, Blinken started his eighth visit to the region since the conflict began in October.

He met with President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi of Egypt, a key mediator with Hamas. Blinken then flew to Israel for conversation with Netanyahu and other Israel officials.

Blinken urged Hamas to accept the proposal, which he said has wide international support.

“If you want a cease-fire, press Hamas to say ‘yes,’” he told reporters before leaving Cairo on the trip, which also involves Jordan and Qatar. Blinken said Israel has accepted the proposal, although Netanyahu has expressed skepticism.

“I know that there are those who are pessimistic about the prospects,” Blinken said, putting the onus on Hamas. “That’s understandable. Hamas continues to show extraordinary cynicism in its actions, a disinterest not only in the well-being and security of Israelis, but also Palestinians.”

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