Top U.S. officials are meeting with Israel’s minister for strategic affairs at the White House amid international pressure for a cease-fire, as Israel apparently prepares to expand its ground offensive in Gaza into a third section of the territory.
Quick Read
- U.S.-Israel Strategic Meetings: Top U.S. officials are meeting with Israel’s Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, at the White House amid calls for a cease-fire in the Gaza conflict.
- Expansion of Israeli Offensive: Israel is reportedly preparing to expand its ground offensive into a third section of Gaza.
- Bombardment in Central Gaza: Palestinian refugee camps in central Gaza were bombarded, as reported by residents.
- Casualty Figures: The Health Ministry in Gaza states that more than 20,900 Palestinians, including a majority of women and children, have been killed since the war began. The Ministry does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths.
- Hamas Raid and Hostages: Following a raid by Hamas into southern Israel on October 7, about 1,200 people were killed, and around 240 were taken hostage. Israel aims to free the remaining hostages in Gaza.
- UN Coordination of Aid: The United Nations appointed the former deputy prime minister of the Netherlands to coordinate humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.
- High-Level Discussions at the White House: Ron Dermer is discussing issues related to the Gaza war with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. The talks focus on freeing hostages and Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
- U.S. Pressure on Israel: The United States, an ally of Israel, is pressing for an end to the deadliest phase of the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
The Associated Press has the story:
Netanyahu aide meets with US officials as Israel prepares to expand Gaza offensive
Newslooks- (AP)
Top U.S. officials are meeting with Israel’s minister for strategic affairs at the White House amid international pressure for a cease-fire, as Israel apparently prepares to expand its ground offensive in Gaza into a third section of the territory. Palestinian refugee camps were bombarded in central Gaza on Tuesday, residents said.
More than 20,900 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children, have been killed since the start of the war, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants among the dead.
About 1,200 people were killed after Hamas raided southern Israel on Oct. 7, with around 240 people taken hostage. Israel says it aims to free the more than 100 hostages who remain in captivity in Gaza.
The United Nations announced Tuesday that the Netherlands’ former deputy prime minister will coordinate the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
A top aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was at the White House Tuesday for talks with President Joe Biden’s top diplomat and national security adviser on Gaza, as Israel appears poised to expand its offensive there.
Ron Dermer, Israel’s Minister for Strategic Affairs, was meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said.
Watson said the talks would cover matters related to the war including efforts to free hostages held by Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza. Dermer’s trip comes as the U.S. presses ally Israel to wrap up the deadliest phase of its offensive in Gaza.
Currently:
— Lose a limb or risk death? Growing numbers among Gaza’s thousands of war-wounded face hard decisions
— An Israeli airstrike in Syria kills a high-ranking Iranian general
— Americans beg for help getting family out of Gaza. ‘I just want to see my mother again,’ a son says
— Find more of AP’s coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
