WASHINGTON

The US will not abandon efforts to achieve a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, the State Department said Tuesday.

"We are not going to give up on reaching a cease-fire in Gaza," spokesman Matthew Miller said during his media briefing.

"Because we believe it is the best way to free the hostages. It is the best way to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. It is the best way to ensure long-term peace and stability for the entire region," said Miller.

He said the US will continue working toward a truce, but emphasized that any cease-fire talks require both parties to engage.

Israel's onslaught against Gaza has killed at least 41,600 victims, most of them women and children, following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, last October.

The conflict has spread to Lebanon, with the Israeli army launching massive airstrikes against what it calls Hezbollah targets that have killed more than 1,057 victims and injured over 2,950 since Sept. 23, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Regarding Israeli strikes on Lebanon, Miller said the US wants a cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah.

"We ultimately want to see a diplomatic resolution. But as I said yesterday, we do support Israel's right to defend itself," said Miller.