Blinken Condemns High Palestinian Casualties in Israel-Hamas Conflict

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for Israel to minimize harm to civilians and increase humanitarian assistance in the ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Blinken acknowledged that while recent Israeli efforts to improve conditions in Gaza are positive, they are not enough. He emphasized the need to protect civilians and maximize assistance to them, stating that "far too many" Palestinians have been killed and suffered. Blinken's remarks came at the end of his nine-day diplomatic tour of the Middle East and Asia, during which he encountered skepticism and resistance to his proposals. However, there are signs of progress, with Israel agreeing to daily humanitarian pauses and the opening of a second safe corridor for Palestinians.