Blinken, Israeli President Hold Talks in Munich

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

They discussed latest developments in the Gaza Strip.

Blinken "reaffirmed Israel's right to ensure the October 7 attacks are never repeated," according to a statement published by U.S. State Department website.

The statement added that Blinken and Herzog discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of Israeli "hostages" and achieve a humanitarian ceasefire that would help increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

Blinken also stressed that US cannot support a ground military operation in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, "without a credible and implementable plan to ensure the safety of more than one million people who have taken shelter there," according to the statement.

Furthermore, US Secretary of State stressed the need for all parties to take feasible measures to protect civilian lives and prevent the conflict from expanding, stressing the US commitment to lasting peace in the region, including through the establishment of a Palestinian state with security guaranteed for Israel.