JAKARTA - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken strongly criticized Israel, in connection with military operations carried out in southern Gaza, saying there was a gun between the intention to protect civilians on the ground.

"While we are here nearly a week after the campaign in the south, it remains important for Israel to prioritize the protection of civilians," Foreign Minister Blinken said.

"And there is still a gap between the intention to protect civilians with the tangible results we see on the ground," Foreign Minister Blinken continued.

Yesterday, US President Joe Biden spoke separately by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jordanian King Abdullah.

President Biden "emphasized the important need to protect civilians, separate civilians from Hamas, including through corridors that allow people to move safely from certain war areas," the White House said.

Separately, the death toll of Palestinians as the ongoing Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip has risen to 17,177 since October 7, the Ministry of Health said in the enclave on Thursday.

"About 70 percent of victims are children and women," ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told a news conference, quoted by Anadolu.

He further said 46.000 others were injured in Israeli intense attacks on the blockaded Palestinian territories.

"At least 290 medics were killed, 102 ambulances destroyed and 160 health care centers were targeted by Israeli attacks, while 20 hospitals and 46 primary care centers were forced to malfunction," said al-Qudra.

"We are facing difficulties in calculating the death toll and injuries from ongoing attacks and communication blackouts," he added.

Israel continued its military offensive in the Gaza Strip on December 1, following the end of a week-long humanitarian hiatus with Hamas.

Israel launched a military campaign and a total blockade on the Gaza Strip, after Hamas launched an attack on their southern region on October 7, leaving about 1,200 Israelis dead according to official figures.

On Friday Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said 92 of its troops had been killed in fighting in Gaza since ground attacks began on October 20.


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