Blinken calls on Israel to create 'safe' zones for Gaza civilians

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel to create safe zones for Palestinian civilians in Gaza before it resumes "major military operations" in the Hamas-ruled territory during his visit to Israel.

Antony Blinken , US Secretary of State said  “I made clear that before Israel resumes major military operations, it must put in place humanitarian civilian protection plans that minimize further casualties of innocent Palestinians.

That means taking more effective steps to protect the lives of civilians, including by clearly and precisely designating areas and places in southern and central Gaza, where they can be safe and out of the line of fire. It means avoiding further significant displacement of civilians inside of Gaza."

Blinken, in the region for a third time since the war began, also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah.