Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet met with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday, the prime minister's office said. 

Netanyahu expressed thanks for the U.S. government's support during the meeting. 

"I want to express our appreciation for your support from the beginning in the war of eliminating Hamas and releasing, securing the release of our hostages. You've been very, very helpful. We appreciate it deeply," he told Blinken. 

The top U.S. diplomat arrived in Israel on Thursday for his third trip to the region since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. He also held talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv.

Blinken reiterated the United States' ongoing support of Israel's right, in compliance with international humanitarian law, to ensure that Hamas can never repeat the October 7 attacks, statements from the U.S. State Department said after he met with Israeli leaders.

He urged Israel to take every possible measure to avoid civilian harm and discussed efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages, as well as the need to accelerate the delivery of critical, life-saving humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Blinken also stressed the need to de-escalate tensions in the West Bank and urged Israel to take immediate steps to hold settler extremists accountable for violence against Palestinians in the area.

He "emphasized the U.S. commitment to taking tangible steps to advance a Palestinian state living in peace, freedom and security alongside Israel," the statements said.