FLASH
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, saying the devastating offensive will continue until the militant group Hamas releases all hostages.
Netanyahu made the announcement shortly after meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who pressed Israel for a temporary pause in its offensive in order for humanitarian conditions to improve in Gaza.
Also, Blinken, who was on a visit to Tel Aviv today, called on Israel to do more to protect civilians from the bombing it is carrying out in Gaza.
But, Netanyahu said that Israel will continue "with all its forces" and that "it does not accept a temporary ceasefire that does not include the return of all hostages".
Hamas abducted around 240 people during bloody attacks in southern Israeli cities on October 7, sparking a new Israel-Hamas war.
More than 1,400 people were killed by Hamas attacks on October 7, according to Israeli officials.
Whereas, over 9,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli retaliatory attacks in Gaza, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, which is led by Hamas.
Before Blinken's departure to Israel, the US State Department reiterated "US support for Israel's right to defend itself".
At the same time, the Biden administration demanded that Israel allow more aid to Gaza after growing concerns about a humanitarian crisis in the territory.
The bombings have forced over half of the population of 2.3 million to leave their homes. Water, food and fuel supplies have dwindled due to Israel's siege and most hospitals are on the verge of collapse.
Israel has allowed over 260 trucks of food and medicine to enter Gaza, but according to aid workers, this amount of aid is not enough. Israeli authorities have refused to allow the delivery of fuel supplies, saying Hamas would use the fuel for military purposes.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the US is not seeking a general ceasefire, but a "temporary and localized pause".
Israel and the US appear to have no clear plan for what will happen next if Hamas, which rules Gaza, is defeated. This will be a key question on Blinken's agenda during this visit, DASH announced.
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