US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived in Israel today, Friday, seeking to pressure it to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians, on his third visit to the region since the start of the war on the Gaza Strip on October 7.

This morning, Blinken will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and will attend a meeting of his security cabinet, according to what was reported by an Agence France-Presse journalist accompanying him.

On Thursday, Blinken told reporters at Andrews Air Force Base before heading to the region: “We will talk about concrete steps that can and should be taken to reduce the harm caused to men, women and children in Gaza,” in light of the devastating bombing campaign and the ground operation carried out by Israel in response to the operation. The unprecedented Al-Aqsa Flood carried out by the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, on October 7.

The aggression against the Gaza Strip continues for the 28th day in a row, with the death toll rising as a result of the Israeli bombing, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, to 9,061, including 3,760 children.

Blinken visited Tel Aviv on October 12, on a visit to “express solidarity with Israel and coordinate the response.”

Following that visit, Blinken made shuttle diplomatic tours in the region, which led him to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and Egypt, eventually returning to Israel.

The Secretary of State also accompanied US President Joe Biden, who met with Israeli government officials and Israeli victims during a visit to Tel Aviv on October 18.

(AFP, Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed)