Good afternoon. The Biden administration has rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, insisting all hostages held by Hamas must be freed before negotiations.
More than 5,000 Palestinians have now been killed in the Gaza Strip, including 2,055 children, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. Washington is remaining steadfast in its support for Israel with reports it is sending military advisers and sophisticated air defence systems ahead of an anticipated Israeli ground assault into Gaza.