The Latest | Blinken urges Hamas to accept a cease-fire in Gaza

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Hamas to accept a U.S.-backed proposal for a Gaza cease-fire and hostage release, saying that the U.N. Security Council’s vote made it “as clear as it possibly could be” that the world supports the plan. Hamas welcomed Biden’s initial announcement of the plan as well as the U.N. resolution endorsing it, but has yet to submit its official response. Blinken said Hamas’ response to the U.N. vote was a “hopeful sign” but that mediators are still awaiting word from the group’s leaders in Gaza.