US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that his forces must avoid inflicting further harm on civilians in Gaza, the State Department said.

According to AFP, Blinken has been visiting countries across the Middle East to calm regional tension over the conflict, now into its fourth month, and talk to Israeli leaders about their handling of the war.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Blinken reaffirmed US support for Israel’s attempts to stop any repeat of the Hamas attack of October 7.

Miller said Blinken then “stressed the importance of avoiding further civilian harm and protecting civilian infrastructure in Gaza” and discussed attempts to free the remaining hostages.

“The secretary reiterated the need to ensure lasting, sustainable peace for Israel and the region, including by the realisation of a Palestinian state,” said Miller.