Israel will continue its offensive in Gaza "with full force" and will refuse any temporary ceasefire that does not include the release of more than 240 hostages held by Hamas, Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday, rejecting US calls for a pause in the fighting.
Hours earlier, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, had flown into Israel to urge the prime minister to temporarily stop the military offensive to allow aid into Gaza, amid rising concern over civilian casualties as the fighting intensifies.
Late yesterday, the Hamas-controlled health authorities reported that an airstrike had hit a convoy of ambulances outside Gaza's largest hospital. The report could not immediately be independently verified, but an Agence France-Presse journalist at the scene reported seeing bodies beside a damaged ambulance.
Blinken was in the Middle East for a second time in less than a month seeking to avert regional escalation of the conflict but also to balance Washington's strong support for Israel over the deadly Hamas attack with growing concern among US policymakers about civilian casualties inflicted by Israel.
US officials hope that a pause in the fighting will allow much needed humanitarian aid to reach desperate civilians in Gaza and help negotiations to free the more than 240 hostages who were seized by Hamas during the 7 October raids. Obtaining their liberty is a key objective of the Israeli offensive. So far four have been freed by Hamas and one rescued by Israeli forces.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin November 04, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin November 04, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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