U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a telephone conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during which he called on Israeli and Palestinian authorities to urgently begin de-escalating tensions in the West Bank, the State Department press office said Saturday.

The secretary of state stressed deep concern about the situation in the West Bank, including escalating tensions, violence and the deaths of both Palestinians and Israelis, and stressed the need for urgent de-escalation by all sides, the U.S. diplomatic office said in a released statement.

In addition, as noted, Blinken discussed with Abbas joint efforts to improve the quality of life of the Palestinian people as well as enhance their security and freedom.

The U.S. Secretary of State also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the statement reads.