US tells Israel it must do more to shield civilians trapped in Gaza

THE US today urged Israel to do more to protect civilians in Gaza as United Nations officials said there was no safe place left for aid agencies in the south of the besieged strip.

- Rachael Burford

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there was a "gap" between Israel's intent to protect Palestinians as the war entered its third month.

After meeting Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron last night, Mr Blinken delivered some of the strongest public criticism from the White House yet of Israel's handling of the war. "It remains imperative that Israel put a premium on civilian protection," he said.

Tens of thousands of people have fled to Rafah, near the border with Egypt, as intense fighting continues in Khan Younis and the expanding ground offensive crowded into an ever-shrinking area of the Gaza Strip.

Israel insists it is taking steps to minimise civilian harm. But the United.

Nations has warned that its aid operation is "in tatters" because no place in the besieged enclave is safe.

Israel's ferocious military assault on Gaza has led to widespread civilian casualties and mass displacements, triggering international alarm.