WASHINGTON, January 9./TASS/. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing the importance of avoiding further harm to Gaza civilians and damage to infrastructure, Spokesperson for the Department of State Matthew Miller said.

According to a written statement, Blinken met with Netanyahu and the Israeli War Cabinet in Tel Aviv. "The Secretary reaffirmed our support for Israel’s right to prevent the terrorist attacks of October 7 from being repeated and stressed the importance of avoiding further civilian harm and protecting civilian infrastructure in Gaza," the spokesperson reported.

The document specified that Blinken and Netanyahu "discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages and the importance of increasing the level of humanitarian assistance reaching civilians in Gaza." The US secretary of state "welcomed the appointment of Sigrid Kaag as the UN’s Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, pledging close cooperation with her in this new capacity." Blinken reiterated "the need to ensure lasting, sustainable peace for Israel and the region, including by the realization of a Palestinian state," Miller added.

Blinken also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, stressing the need to take all possible precautions to minimize harm to civilians.

Tensions in the Middle East flared up again on October 7 after militants from the radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of border communities and taking people hostage, including women, children and the elderly. Israel announced a total blockade of Gaza and started carrying out strikes on targets in the enclave, as well as on certain areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.