Antony Blinken, the top US diplomat, arrived in Israel on Friday to urge for temporary halts in the ongoing conflict to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel has announced that it has encircled the largest city in the Palestinian enclave, which marks the focal point of its mission to eradicate Hamas.
With the conflict nearing the end of its fourth week, US Secretary of State Blinken's visit to Israel is the second in a month to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel’s military battled Hamas militants, who fought back with hit-and-run attacks from underground tunnels.
“We’re at the height of the battle. We’ve had impressive successes and have passed the outskirts of Gaza City. We are advancing,” Netanyahu said in a statement after the military said it had encircled the seaside enclave’s main city.
As Blinken left Washington for the Middle East, he said he would discuss concrete steps to minimize harm to civilians in Gaza. The White House, meanwhile, said any pauses in fighting should be temporary and localized and insisted they would not stop Israel from defending itself.
With the conflict nearing the end of its fourth week, US Secretary of State Blinken's visit to Israel is the second in a month to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel’s military battled Hamas militants, who fought back with hit-and-run attacks from underground tunnels.
“We’re at the height of the battle. We’ve had impressive successes and have passed the outskirts of Gaza City. We are advancing,” Netanyahu said in a statement after the military said it had encircled the seaside enclave’s main city.
As Blinken left Washington for the Middle East, he said he would discuss concrete steps to minimize harm to civilians in Gaza. The White House, meanwhile, said any pauses in fighting should be temporary and localized and insisted they would not stop Israel from defending itself.
