Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will discuss steps Israel “can and should” take to minimize civilian casualties during his upcoming visit to Tel Aviv, CNN reports.

“[Vom discuta despre măsurile concrete care pot și ar trebui luate pentru a minimiza rănirile bărbaților, femeilor și copiilor din Gaza, iar acesta este un lucru la care Statele Unite se angajează”, a declarat Blinken joi.

Although the secretary did not provide further details, he reiterated that the issue is on the agenda of the visit. According to the State Department, Blinken is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders of the Israeli government.

“When I see a Palestinian child, boy or girl, being pulled from the rubble of a collapsed building, it hits me in the gut as much as when I see a child in Israel or anywhere else. So this is what we are obliged to react to, and we will do it,” he said.

Asked whether Israel had shown restraint in its offensive in Gaza, Blinken did not say yes or no, instead reiterating that Israel has the right to defend itself and “has an obligation to do everything it can to protect civilians.”

He said it was a “crossfire … created by Hamas.”

On Thursday, Blinken leaves for a trip to Israel, Jordan, Japan, South Korea and India. On the runway before the trip, he reiterated that the United States is “determined to contain any escalation.”

“We need to discuss now how we can best create the conditions for a lasting, sustainable peace for both Israelis and Palestinians,” he said.