US State Secretary Antony Blinken has Friday he had discussed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu potential “humanitarian pauses” in Gaza, AFP reports.

“We believe that each of these efforts (to protect Palestinian civilians and increase aid into Gaza) would be facilitated by humanitarian pauses, by arrangements on the ground that increase security for civilians and permit the more effective and sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance,” Blinken told journalists during a visit to Israel.

He also said journalists in Gaza must be protected as they report amid Israeli bombardment in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas.

“It’s vitally important how Israel does this (conducts the war), including with the highest regard for the protection of civilians, and that of course includes journalists,” Blinken said.