ISRAEL – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will maintain its military offensive in Gaza “with full force” and will reject any temporary ceasefire that doesn’t include the release of over 240 hostages held by Hamas.
This announcement came as he turned down US appeals for a pause in the conflict during a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday.
Blinken had flown to Israel to urge a temporary halt to the military offensive to facilitate aid delivery to the region, amidst growing concerns about civilian casualties as the fighting escalates.
During this visit, there was a report of an airstrike hitting a convoy of ambulances outside Gaza’s largest hospital, resulting in casualties.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed they targeted an ambulance used by Hamas and stated that several Hamas members were killed in the strike, although Hamas refuted these allegations.
Blinken’s visit aimed to address the situation and the balance between supporting Israel and addressing concerns over civilian casualties.
