With beds strapped on top of cars and taking rest of the belongings, Gazans have started fleeing the city to south of Gaza river after Israel sounded warnings of attack. The Gaza residents were asked to evacuate the city ahead of Israeli ground offensive.
Meanwhile, United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is in Israel on Friday for meeting with senior government officials and also to oversee the security arrangements in place that Washington provided after Hamas launched its attack on Israel.
Ahead of Israel’s warnings, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed establishing safe areas in Gaza where the civilians could relocate.
A senior state department official confirmed on Friday that the need to protect civilian areas was discussed during Netanyahu-Blinken meet on Thursday.
With Austin’s arrival, it is the second high-level US official to visit Israel in two days.
Austin met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and spent nearly two hours with Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant and the Israeli War Cabinet. Austin reassured Netanyahu that "We have your back...We do stand with you Mr. Prime Minister."
Even though the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has issued warnings to Gazans, Hamas rulers directed the residents to remain where they are and stand firm against Israel.
Going all out in support to Israel, US has already given the war-hit nation small diameter bombs as well as interceptor missiles for its Iron Dome system, rest of the ammunitions are expected to arrive on Friday.
Within hours after the brutal Hamas attack across the border into Israel, the US moved warships and aircraft to the region.
The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group is already in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and a second carrier was departing on Friday from Virginia.
US is also providing intelligence and other planning assistance to the Israelis, including advice on the hostage situation.
Diplomatic efforts
In order to prevent conflict from widening, Blinken is visiting Middle-East nations and seeking diplomatic support. Blinken had visited and held talks with Jordanian King Abdullah II.
Hamas’s attack on Israel and efforts to release hostages captured by the militants was discussed with the king. Measures to prevent further escalation of conflict was also discussed with the king.
According to a palace statement, Abdullah stressed the need to open humanitarian corridors for medical aid and relief into Gaza while protecting civilians and working to end the escalation of the conflict.
The king also appealed against hindering the work of international agencies and warned against any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza.
Later on Friday, Blinken will stop in Bahrain and in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is a key player in the Arab world that has been considering normalising ties with Israel, reported the Associated Press.
He will also travel to the United Arab Emirates and Egypt over the weekend.
