Avoid 'further civilian harm' in Gaza, Blinken tells Israel

More than three months into the deadliest-ever Gaza war, US top diplomat Antony Blinken urged Israel on Tuesday to avoid "further civilian harm" in the besieged Palestinian territory.

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In a Tel Aviv meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the secretary of state reaffirmed US "support for Israel's right to prevent the terrorist attacks of October 7 from being repeated", said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

But Blinken also "stressed the importance of avoiding further civilian harm and protecting civilian infrastructure in Gaza", said Miller about the Hamasrun territory where more than 23,000 people have died in the war, local health officials say.

For the longer term, Miller said, Blinken "reiterated the need to ensure lasting, sustainable peace for Israel and the region, including by the realisation of a Palestinian state".