NEW DELHI: The United States along with 17 other countries released a joint statement calling on Hamas to release all the hostages to end the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

"We call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza now for over 200 days," a statement by the countries said, in what a senior US official called an extraordinary display of unanimity.

"The fate of the hostages and the civilian population in Gaza who are protected under international law is of international concern," the statement added.

However, Hamas said that the group would not concede to international pressure.

All the 18 countries that issued an appeal to Hamas have had their citizens held as captives by the Palestinian militant group for more than six months.

Hamas is believed to still be holding 129 hostages out of the 253 that it took captive on Oct 7. Nearly 1,200 people died on the day Hamas crossed the border and massacred mostly civilians.

The signatories were the leaders of the United States, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Thailand and Britain.

"We emphasise that the deal on the table to release the hostages would bring an immediate and prolonged ceasefire in Gaza, that would facilitate a surge of additional necessary humanitarian assistance to be delivered throughout Gaza, and lead to the credible end of hostilities," the statement said.

"Gazans would be able to return to their homes and their lands with preparations beforehand to ensure shelter and humanitarian provisions," it said.

As per the news agency Reuters, senior Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri said that the statement would not influence the Palestinian militant group and that the US should push its ally Israel to end its offensive.

"The ball now is in the American court," said Abu Zuhri.