TOKYO, May 2 -- NHK World issued the following news:
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States cannot support a major Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah without an effective plan to protect civilians.
Blinken made the remarks after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Wednesday. They discussed ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Blinken told reporters that the Israeli government has not presented an effective humanitarian plan. He added that there are other ways of dealing with Hamas that do not involve a large-scale operation in Rafah.
Netanyahu earlier said he would press ahead with an offensive in ...