Blinken in Israel for Talks With Netanyah

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken returns to Israel on Friday as part of an intensive diplomatic push to achieve a stable and immediate <x0-docremation” in Gaza and prevent an Israeli offensive in Rafah.

The plans are for him to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli war cabinet.

His trip coincides with the resumption of talks in Doha aimed at securing a ceasefire agreement related to the release of hostages held by Hamas.

It also coincides with a UN vote on a US-sponsored Security Council resolution calling for an immediate <x0-cymbal” ceasefire” in the Gaza conflict.

Blinken's meetings are expected to be tense, with Netanyah promising to conduct an Israeli military invasion in Rafah, where more than a million people have been forced to leave.

Our “position, which is very clear, is that a major military operation in Rafah would be a mistake, something we do not support”, Blinken said on Thursday.

The top American diplomat is expected again to pressure Israel for the urgent need for more humanitarian aid to reach people in Gaza.

“Israel must do more”, he said Thursday, CNN reports

“We have seen an improvement over the past two weeks in receiving humanitarian aid to Palestinians, but this is not enough”, Blinken added.