U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made his seventh visit to Israel and the surrounding region on Wednesday amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas militants in Gaza.

After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Blinken said that Israel made important compromises over a new deal proposal that could see Israeli hostages released in exchange for a ceasefire, but that the outcome is dependent on Hamas’ response.

Speaking with Israelis whose family members were killed or taken hostage by Hamas militants in the fateful Oct. 7 attacks, Blinken told them to “keep strong” and “keep the faith” as a decision looms.

Despite crowds of people cheering for Blinken and expressing satisfaction with his words to them, protests across Israel have continued.

“We need to stop the war, we need to bring back the hostages home,” said Ifat Kalderon on Thursday, a protester whose cousin was taken hostage by Hamas. “Enough, it's seven months already, there is no time for the hostages, they will be all dead until they'll come home.”

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