KEY POINTS
- 35% of Gaza buildings have either been destroyed or damaged in Israel's offensive: UN
- The UK reportedly threatened to impose arms ban on Israel unless Nukhba prisoners visited by ICRC
- World Bank report finds imminent risk of famine in the Gaza Strip
The Israel-Hamas war is now in its 167th day, and eyes are on the Middle East as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the region to seek a ceasefire deal and more humanitarian aid for Gaza.
Beijing and Moscow have reportedly reached an agreement with Iranian-backed Houthis over the safe navigation of Chinese and Russian ships in the Red Sea.
Occupants of a "small craft" that made a suspicious approach toward a commercial vessel off of Yemen exchanged fire with the ship's security team Thursday morning, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported.
- US circulates UN draft resolution calling for immediate ceasefire 'linked to the release of hostages'
- Burning object thrown at Israeli embassy in the Netherlands: Reports
- Blinken to meet Middle Eastern foreign ministers in regional tour
- IDF fighter jets carry out strikes in southern Lebanon: Arab media
- Israel attacks Hezbollah structure in Kfarkela after targeting of Kibbutz Yiftah
- 3 missiles launched toward Israeli town near Lebanese border: Local media
- Israel eyes possibly installing Palestinian business leaders in post-war Gaza governing body: Report
- Israel can defend itself, but it doesn't have the right 'to revenge': EU's Borrell
Back in Gaza, fighting rages on at Shifa Hospital, the Strip's largest medical complex. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) raided the area earlier this week as it has been on a manhunt for senior Hamas officials in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, a total of 36 countries are considering sending humanitarian aid for Gaza civilians through Cyprus, as there have been mounting difficulties in getting supplies for Palestinians via land transfer.
Despite immense pressure from Washington and the international community over Israel's planned ground incursion into Rafah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unmoved. He told Republican senators that Israel will continue to pursue its war goals – eliminating Hamas being its top priority.
Global leaders are calling for a ceasefire deal that could free the remaining hostages in Gaza and allow for more aid to enter the devastated enclave. There are also increasing calls urging Israel to agree to a two-state solution in the long and violent Israel-Palestine conflict that led to Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre in Israel.
Israel is reportedly waiting for Hamas' response to a proposal by an Israeli delegation for a potential truce agreement.
The live update has ended.
Israel has right to defend, but 'not to revenge': Borrell
European Union leaders will call for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza at the Brussels summit Thursday, the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said ahead of the conference. He said the European Council will go "much further" in its demands regarding the situation in the enclave.
"Asking for a sustainable ceasefire, certainly asking also for freedom of hostages, but showing a strong concern for the situation of the people in Gaza, which is unacceptable," he said. "Certainly Israel has the right to defend, [but] not to revenge," he added.
