US stands with Israel as strikes enter Day 6

Israel and the Hamas militant group traded heavy fire for the sixth day on Thursday as US secretary of state Antony Blinken vowed American support to Israel, but also urged restraint to protect Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, where thousands have been killed and food and water were running out.

Israel's army has hammered the Hamas-ruled Palestinian enclave with thousands of strikes ahead of what is widely expected to be a ground invasion, after the militant group killed over 1,000 Israelis, mostly civilians, and took about 150 hostage. "You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself.

But as long as America exists, you will never ever have to. We will always be there by your side," Blinken told Netanyahu.

He reiterated that Israel has the right to defend itself following Hamas's devastating attacks on the country, but cautioned that "how Israel does this matters." Netanyahu voiced appreciation for US support, which includes military aid, adding, "Just as ISIS (Islamic State group) was crushed, so too will Hamas be crushed."

International aid groups warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis after Israel halted deliveries of food, water, fuel and electricity to Gaza's 2.3 million people and prevented entry of supplies from Egypt. The war has claimed at least 2,700 lives on both sides.

"Not a single electricity switch will be flipped on, not a single faucet will be turned on, and not a single fuel truck will enter until the Israeli hostages are returned home," Israeli energy minister Israel Katz said on Thursday on social media.