US Secretary Of State Antony Blinken Returns To Sambangi Israel Tomorrow, Discusses Minimization Of Civilian Victims

JAKARTA - United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Israel on Friday, reaffirming support for the country in responding to Hamas attacks, and recalling the need to minimize Palestinian civilian casualties.

This is Blinken's second visit to the Middle East in less than a month, where this time he is said to be stopping in Jordan.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Foreign Minister Blinken would meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials, receiving up-to-date information on Israel's military objectives and plans to achieve the goal.

"He will reaffirm US support for Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law, as well as discuss the need to take all precautions to minimize civilian casualties, as well as our efforts to provide humanitarian assistance," Miller told reporters.

Israel began to carry out ground operations against the Gaza Strip, after previously only carrying out airstrikes and artillery firings, to retaliate against the Hamas militant group in its southern region which killed about 1,400 people and another 240 were held hostage.

Meanwhile, Gaza's Ministry of Health said at least 8,796 Palestinians in the enclave were killed, including 3,648 children, as a result of Israeli attacks.

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Blinken is said to be discussing options for who will run the densely populated enclave if and when Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic militant group, is defeated.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday Washington did not believe Hamas could engage in the Gaza government when the war was over.

Meanwhile in Jordan, Foreign Minister Blinken will underline the importance of protecting civilian lives, reaffirming Uncle Sam's commitment to ensuring Palestinians are not forcibly expelled from Gaza, a growing concern in the Arab world, Miller said.

Miller said Foreign Minister Blinken would hold talks led by Egypt and Qatar regarding the release of more than 200 hostages detained by Hamas.

Separately, Turkish diplomatic sources said Foreign Minister Blinken would also visit the country, but Miller had not confirmed the additional visit.

"We will make further announcements if there is information in the coming days," he added.

The plan is for Foreign Minister Blinken to leave Washington DC on Thursday local time.