US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, in his sharpest public criticism of Israel’s war against Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip, said there was a gap between the government’s stated intentions to protect civilians and the number of casualties, Reuters reported.

“As we approach the week of this campaign in the south … it remains imperative that Israel pay increased attention to the protection of civilians,” Blinken told a news conference after meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Thursday in Washington, according to reports News.ro.

“And there remains a disconnect between … the intent to protect civilians and the actual results we’re seeing on the ground,” Blinken said.

Israel says it must destroy the militant group Hamas after it attacked Israel two months ago and is doing everything it can to protect civilians, including warning of military operations.

US President Joe Biden spoke separately on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Jordanian King Abdullah on Thursday.

Biden “stressed the fundamental need to protect civilians and separate the civilian population from Hamas, including through corridors that allow people to move safely from areas where hostilities are taking place,” the White House said.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 17,170 Palestinians have been killed and 46,000 wounded since October 7, when Israel began shelling Gaza in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas militants who control the enclave.

According to Israel, 1,200 people were killed and 240 people were taken hostage as a result of the Hamas attack.