Secretary of State Antony Blinken caused an uproar over the weekend with a since-deleted social media post in which he encouraged a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Blinken said in the Sunday message that he “encouraged” Turkey’s push for a halt to the fighting just as Israel began responding to Saturday’s large-scale attack from the Palestinian terrorist group that left hundreds of Israeli citizens dead.

“Turkish Foreign Minister @HakanFidan and I spoke further on Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel. I encouraged Türkiye’s advocacy for a cease-fire and the release of all hostages held by Hamas immediately,” read Blinken’s post on X, formerly Twitter.

Blinken’s post came one day after the US Office of Palestinian Affairs tweeted, then deleted, another controversial post arguing for a stop to the violence.

“We unequivocally condemn the attack of Hamas terrorists and the loss of life that has incurred. We urge all sides to refrain from violence and retaliatory attacks. Terror and violence solve nothing,” the OPA said on X.

Critics hammered Blinken, contending that it was far too early to float a ceasefire following outrages that included the killing of at least 260 patrons of a music festival in southern Israel.

Additionally, supporters of Israel have long been critical of Turkey’s past ties to Hamas, accusing the Ankara government of permitting the terrorists to operate inside its borders.

I repeat: Hakan Fidan was the intelligence chief who presided over the establishment of a Hamas headquarters in Turkey that included an active terrorist commander directing attacks in the West Bank, Saleh al-Arouri. https://t.co/J8ETtxj2q1

“I repeat: Hakan Fidan was the intelligence chief who presided over the establishment of a Hamas headquarters in Turkey that included an active terrorist commander directing attacks in the West Bank, Saleh al-Arouri,” wrote Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president of Research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

“Holy s—, the Biden administration is already calling for a ‘cease-fire.’ I didn’t think they could be THIS disgusting and heartless. But here we are,” added political consultant Noah Pollak.

“Bad mistake if the Biden administration is pushing for a cease-fire already before Israeli forces have had a chance to respond & completely neutralize Hamas terrorist infrastructure and personnel in Gaza. This is premature. We should get out of Israel’s way for a bit & support,” self-described conservative lawyer Heath Mayo said.

“Strange that it took over 12 hours for them to delete this tweet. This isn’t the first time that the @StateDept has put out messaging through official channels with capitulations to Hamas,” chimed in Jeremy Redfern, press secretary for Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis.

Strange that it took over 12 hours for them to delete this tweet.This isn’t the first time that the @StateDept has put out messaging through official channels with capitulations to Hamas. pic.twitter.com/IvAaA9JgQq

“Strange that it took over 12 hours for them to delete this tweet. This isn’t the first time that the @StateDept has put out messaging through official channels with capitulations to Hamas,” chimed in Jeremy Redfern, press secretary for Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis.

It seems that US Secretary of State #Blinken deleted yesterday’s tweet where he “encouraged” Hamas-supporting Turkey arranging a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel. Are there any actual adults in charge in Foggy Bottom? #IsraelUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/DJYuig7M6A

“It seems that US Secretary of State #Blinken deleted yesterday’s tweet where he ‘encouraged’ Hamas-supporting Turkey arranging a cease-fire between Hamas and Israel. Are there any actual adults in charge in Foggy Bottom? #IsraelUnderAttack,” added retired US diplomat Alberto Miguel Fernandez.

Hamas launched the wide-ranging assault early Saturday, catching Israel intelligence and defense officials off-guard.

Israel has since declared war on the terrorist group — the first such declaration in 50 years — and conducted retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas holds power.

Both Blinken and President Biden publicly affirmed US support for Israel and it’s right of self-defense over the weekend.

At least 800 Israelis have died in the carnage, with the State Department confirming that at least nine Americans are also among the dead.

An undetermined number of Israelis are also believed to have been taken to the Gaza Strip as hostages.