US top diplomat Antony Blinken has said more food, water and medicine are needed to get into Gaza as Israel’s bombardment continues, AFP reports.

“More food, more water, more medicine, other essential goods need to get into Gaza. And then once they’re in Gaza, they need to get more effectively to the people who need them,” Blinken said during a visit to Israel.

“Israel must be a partner to Palestinian leaders who are willing to lead their people […] and Israel must stop taking steps that undercut Palestinians ability to govern themselves effectively,” Blinken added.

Blinken said Israel has agreed on a plan for a UN mission to assess the situation in northern Gaza to enable the safe return of displaced Palestinians.

“It will determine what needs to be done to allow displaced Palestinians to return safely to the north,” he said.