U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken spoke with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan and "discussed the need for de-escalation and the protection of civilian lives and infrastructure" in Syria, against the backdrop of rebel attacks in Idlib, Aleppo and Hama in the northwest of the country. According to the State Department announcement, the two also discussed "the ongoing humanitarian efforts in Gaza and the need to bring the war to an end and secure the release of all hostages."