Blinken: Israel must do more to protect Gaza civilians

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urged Israel to do more to protect Palestinian civilians in his war with Hamas on Sunday, while Israeli tanks fought in the main city of the southern Gaza Strip.

Two days after the United States vetoed a proposed UN request for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, Blinken said Israel must impose “a premium” on the protection of Gaza civilians and ensure that humanitarian aid can reach those in need.

The critical thing is to make sure military operations are designed around civil protection,” said Blinken for the “programme State of the Union” of CNN.

I think the goal is there. But the results are not always showing”, he said.

Among the steps Blinken said the United States “is not seeing enough” are “, the sites and the conflict routes” that will allow humanitarian operations to provide aid and help civilians get out of danger.

Israeli forces fought for Khan Yunis' heart in southern Gaza on Sunday after a night of intense fighting, while fighter planes hit areas west of the city.

Israel pledged to destroy Hamas after militants broke out across the border on 7 October and began a rage in Israeli cities, killing families in their homes, killing 1,200 people and apprehending 240 hostages.

Health authorities in Hamas-led Gaza said around 18,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war since then, while 49,500 have been injured. Thousands more are missing and allegedly dead, Reuters writes, broadcast Clankosova.tv.