The Bottom Line
- Thursday marks the 69th day of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
- Biden on Tuesday publicly addressed his differences with Netanyahu over a two-state solution.
- Washington on Wednesday expressed its "concern" to Israel over civilian casualties in Gaza.
- The UN General Assembly on Tuesday night called for "an immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza, in a resolution adopted by an overwhelming majority.
- Israel will continue the war in Gaza "with or without international support," according to the foreign minister. This was confirmed by Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Ground fighting accompanied by deadly airstrikes is still raging in the Khan Younis area.
07:28
Gaza Strip without Hamas is an 'illusion', says leader
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh believes that "any arrangement in Gaza or regarding the Palestinian cause without Hamas or the resistance movements is an illusion." In a televised speech filmed in Qatar, his comments were in response to statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who on Tuesday ruled out "the entry into Gaza of those who educate for terrorism, support terrorism and finance terrorism," referring to Hamas, on which Israel has been waging a war since October 7.
Ismail Haniyeh, however, stressed that he was willing to discuss a "halt to the aggression in Gaza" and "putting the Palestinian house in order in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip." Hamas, he said, was ready for talks "on a political path that will ensure the right of the Palestinian people to an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital."
07:17
Air Raids on Gaza
Israel stepped up air raids in the Gaza Strip on Thursday despite signs of impatience from its US ally.
Early Thursday, the Hamas administration's health ministry announced the death of a total of 19 more Palestinians in Israeli strikes in Gaza City (north), Nuseirat (center) and Rafah (south) after a day of air raids and intense street fighting.
An Israeli raid killed two people and wounded others in Jenin, a stronghold of armed factions in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Authority's health ministry said.
06:51
U.S. envoy expected in Jerusalem
Without questioning its support for the Israeli operation, the United States is beginning to be exasperated by the death toll in the Gaza Strip.
"We want an end to this conflict (...) but we also don't think it would be appropriate to stop the operation now ... because terror attacks against Israel would continue, which in the long run is not in the security interest of anyone in the region," said Matthew Miller, the spokesman for the US Foreign Service.
White House National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan is expected in Jerusalem on Thursday and Friday for talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu.
06:28
Hello everyone!
Welcome to this live coverage of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.