BangkokcTypeface:> The United States was not involved in the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday, Channel News Asia (CNA) reported.

Blinken, during a visit to Singapore, also reiterated the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to reduce tensions in the Middle East saying the US will work on this until it is achieved.

The ceasefire is crucial not only to end the suffering of Palestinians in the region but also to bring the hostages home, he said. "One of the things that we’ve been focused on is trying to make sure that the conflict that emerged in Gaza doesn’t spread, doesn’t go to other places, doesn’t escalate, and we’re going to continue to do that as well,” he said, according to the report. (DPA)