Anthony Blanken, the US Secretary of State, today called on Israel to prevent further harm to civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Blanken reiterated US support for Israel’s right to defend itself during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, Blanken “stressed the importance of preventing further harm to civilians and protecting civilian infrastructure in Gaza,” said Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the US State Department.

According to Miller, Blanken stressed the need for a lasting peace for Israel in the region, including “acceptance of a Palestinian nation.”

Meanwhile, the Israeli army launched airstrikes on Gaza today and clashed with Hamas militants.

Agence France-Presse has reported that Israel launched intense attacks on the cities of Khan Yunis and Rafah during the night.

The Israeli army said that in the last 24 hours, the forces of N Kishor have killed 40 terrorists in Khan Yunis.

Leader of Hamas

Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, said today in Qatar that he launched the October 7 attack after Israel sought to marginalize the Palestinian struggle.

And he charged that even though the Palestinians are paying a “heavy price” and Israel is starting a “genocidal war”, Tel Aviv has failed to achieve any of its goals.

Hamas published a statement that quoted Haniyeh when he asked the Islamic countries to support the Palestinian resistance by providing weapons, because he said, “This war is not only a Palestinian war.”

Israeli officials said that during the attacks on October 7, the Hamas group killed 1,140 people, most of whom were civilians.

Hamas officials in Gaza have said that 23,210 people, most of them women and children, have been killed in Gaza during Israeli attacks.

Israel has said that 185 soldiers and youths have been killed inside Gaza so far.