The United States (U.S.) firmly rejected calls for a ceasefire by Israel, emphasizing concerns that it would provide Hamas with an opportunity to regroup and continue launching terrorist attacks. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stressed the intolerable situation that Israel faces, having suffered brutal terrorist attacks and constantly being threatened by terrorism at its border.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) is considering a humanitarian pause and the facilitation of aid in Gaza. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expects the EU leaders to endorse the idea of a pause to allow for the arrival of humanitarian aid and the provision of shelter for displaced individuals.
The recent Israeli bombings in the blockaded Gaza Strip have resulted in one of the deadliest nights of violence, with over 400 Palestinians killed in the past 24 hours. The total death toll has now exceeded 5,000, with around 40% of the victims being children.
Additionally, numerous buildings have been destroyed, and over one million people have been displaced in the territory that has long been under siege and deprived of basic necessities. Previously, the U.S. had urged Israel to delay its anticipated ground assault to allow for the release of additional hostages and the delivery of further aid to the besieged region.
