As Israeli troops tighten encirclement of Gaza City, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Friday and held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. While pledging his unwavering support for Israel, Blinked stressed the need to protect civilians in Gaza amid the attacks.
Israel should do everything in its power to protect civilians caught in the fighting in Gaza and ensure they receive humanitarian aid, said Blinken.
Ahead of a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Blinken reiterated that Israel has a right to "do everything possible to ensure that this Oct. 7 (attack) can never happen again."
“How Israel does this matters and it is very important that when it comes to the protection of civilians who are caught in the crossfire of Hamas’s making, that everything to be done to protect them and to bring assistance to those who so desperately need it,” said Blinken.
While speaking to the reporters, Blinken also said they are monitoring the hostage situation and are doing everything possible to bring them back safely.
Over 9,200 Palestinians were killed so far since the Hamas attack. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, six Palestinians were killed in raids across the West Bank.
This is Blinken's third trip to Israel since the war began. After his Israel visit, he plans to Jordan as well.
Meanwhile, reiterating his support to Palestinians, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. He said "crimes against humanity" are being committed in Gaza.
Around 800 people left Gaza over the past two days since Israel intensified ground attack.
Meanwhile, military officials said Israeli forces has completely encircled Gaza City. Israel said they closed in the centre of Hamas military infrastructure that includes a vast network of underground tunnels, bunkers, and command centres.
“Israeli forces are fighting in a built-up, dense, complex area,” said the military's chief of staff, Herzi Halevy.
