DUBAI, Aug 2 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed with the United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, release hostages and increase humanitarian assistance, the U.S. mission to the Gulf Arab state said on Friday. (Reporting by Jana Choukeir and Tala Ramadan; Editing by Michael Georgy)