U.S. Secretary of State calls for less impact on civilians in Gaza

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was back in Tel Aviv, and after meeting with top leaders on Tuesday, he said Israel must do more to lessen the impact on civilians in Gaza.

He added that Washington rejects any proposal for settling Gazans outside the territory.

Blinken says Israel must stop undercutting the ability of Palestinians to govern themselves effectively, but so far Israel has ruled out calls to allow the internationally recognized Palestinian authority to govern Gaza.

The United Nations says Israel’s intensifying military operations in central and southern Gaza are having “devastating consequences,” adding that the fighting has killed more civilians, curtailed aid operations in the central region and put three major hospitals at risk of closing.

READ MORE: Local surgeon details tragic medical mission in Gaza

Meanwhile top diplomats from the U.S. and U.K. have conflicting views on whether Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute a genocide.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is dismissing the genocide case that South Africa is bringing against Israel on Thursday at the International Court of Justice as meritless.

“We believe the submission against Israel to the International Court of Justice distracts the world from all of these important efforts,” Blinken said.

“And moreover, the charge of genocide is meritless. It’s particularly galling given that those who are attacking Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, as well as their supporter Iran, continue to openly call for the annihilation of Israel and the mass murder of Jews.”

Also on Tuesday, U.K.’s foreign secretary says he’s worried Israel might be in breach of international law in Gaza and urged Israel to restore the water supply there.

READ MORE: Last know Canadian held hostage by Hamas confirmed dead