Blinken urges Israel to do more to protect civilians in phone call with minister

 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer on Thursday morning. He praised the Israeli security cabinet for agreeing to allow more fuel into Gaza, but said humanitarian aid to the war-torn strip would be limited. More efforts need to be made. , according to a senior State Department official.

Blinken also told Dermer that the Israeli government should do more to protect civilians, the official said.

Israel's security cabinet on Wednesday approved a "minimal" increase in the amount of fuel entering Gaza.

In an interview on CNN's "King Charles" on Wednesday, Blinken said Israel is taking some "important steps" to better protect civilians, but more action is needed.