The conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas in the Gaza Strip could become “metastatic” in the region, warned today the head of American diplomacy, Anthony Blinken, who is visiting Qatar as part of his new tour of Arab countries and Israel.

“It’s a collision that could easily to become metastatic causing even more insecurity and more suffering,” he told a press conference in Doha, confirming that the United States was working to “prevent the spread of conflict” in the Middle East.

The US secretary of state also said that when he visits Israel this week he will tell Israeli officials that it is “imperative” that they do more to protect civilians in Gaza, who must be able to “return home”.

Blinken said Palestinian civilians should be allowed to return to their homes and should not be forced to leave Gaza. “Palestinian civilians must be able to return to their homes as soon as conditions allow,” he said from Doha with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdelrahman Al-Thani by his side.