
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out any temporary ceasefire in Gaza until Hamas releases its more than 240 captives, pushing back against US pressure for “humanitarian pauses” to protect civilians and allow aid into the besieged enclave.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Friday to call for steps to protect civilians and allow greater aid into Gaza, as Israeli troops encircled the enclave’s main city after several days of intensifying ground operations.