‘Massive loss’ of civilian lives in northern Gaza must not be repeated in south: Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Israeli army Thursday that the "massive loss of civilian live and displacement" in northern Gaza must not be repeated in the south.

"We discussed the details of Israel's ongoing planning, and I underscored the imperative, for the United States, that the massive loss of civilian life and displacement of the scale that we saw in northern Gaza not be repeated in the south," Blinken said during a press briefing after he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Blinken said Israel had agreed to a US request that it formulate a strategy that "puts a premium on protecting civilians."

He added that the Israeli army should steer clear of targeting vital infrastructure such as hospitals, power stations and water facilities.

He said that displaced civilians from southern Gaza should also be offered "the choice to return to the north as soon as conditions permit."