U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the media after participating in the so-called "2+2 Dialogue" in New Delhi, India, November 10, 2023.
REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/Pool Acquire Licensing RightsNov 10 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday denounced the soaring number of Palestinians killed as Israel pushed ahead with its war against Hamas in Gaza, saying more needs to be done to protect the civilians.
In his strongest comments to date on civilians bearing the brunt of the war, Blinken welcomed the four-hour humanitarian Israeli pauses the White House announced on Thursday but said further action was required to protect Gaza's civilians.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi as he wrapped up a nine-day trip to the Middle East and Asia, he said: "Far too many Palestinians have been killed; far too many have suffered these past weeks.
Palestinian officials say more than 10,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its military campaign, and Gaza's hospitals are struggling to cope, with medical supplies, clean water and fuel to power generators running out.
Persons:
Antony Blinken, Jonathan Ernst, Blinken, Israel, it’s, Humeyra Pamuk, Howard Goller
Organizations:
REUTERS, Thomson
Locations:
New Delhi, India, Israel, Gaza, East, Asia, Washington, United States