Blinken in Tel Aviv to move Israel to protect civilians, the postwar government will be discussed

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel.

It will try to persuade Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah, start serious negotiations on post-war governance in Gaza, do more to protect civilians in Gaza and allow more assistance in the territory.

“I will pressure on the absolute attempt to do more to protect civilians and do more to ensure that humanitarian aid is entering the hands of those needing to”, said Blinken, who has spent the last two days holding talks with Arab leaders.

Israeli officials, meanwhile, will say to the US diplomat that civilians in Gaza will not be allowed to return to the north of the territory unless more of the hostages held by Hamas are released, Axios reported, quoting two senior Israeli officials.

The US has offered determined support to Israel since its outbreak with Hamas three months ago, but Netanyah has angered Washington by refusing so far to offer any detailed public plan for Gaza's rule when Israel's military offensive ends.

He has rejected the US preferential option of creating a unified Palestinian state consisting of the West Coast and Gaza.

Israel has also been under mounting pressure from the US, its closest ally, and Arab leaders to reduce its attack on Gaza, reports The Guardian.