Antony Blinken holds talks with Prime Minster Netanyahu in Israel

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks on Monday in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the escalating conflict with Hamas.

It’s the top US diplomat’s second trip to Israel in just a week. During the meeting, Mr Blinken received an update on the situation on the ground, the State Department said. He reaffirmed his support for Israel to defend itself from Hamas and the willingness of the US to aid the country, the department added.

They also discussed US coordination with the UN and regional partners to help provide humanitarian aid to civilians. The meeting comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is reaching a critical point, with water, food and medical supplies running low.

More than 2,700 Palestinians have been killed and 9,700 wounded in Gaza in Israel’s retaliatory strikes since the Hamas attacks.

Hamas is a Palestinian militant group which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is designated a terrorist organisation by the US and other western governments.

More than 1,400 people were killed in Israel when Hamas militants crossed into Israel from the Gaza Strip to attack civilians and soldiers.

(BBC)