The United States has pressured Israel to increase aid deliveries during the war, and on Wednesday, Israel reopened a border crossing with hard-hit northern Gaza Strip for the first time since it was damaged at the start of the war.
On his seventh visit since the latest war between Israel and Hamas broke out in October, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed for a cease-fire deal. The proposed truce would free hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a halt to the fighting and the delivery of much-needed food, medicine, and water into Gaza. Palestinian prisoners are also expected to be released as part of the deal.
On Oct. 7, Palestinian militants launched an unprecedented attack into southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and abducting around 250 hostages. Israel says militants still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.
The death toll in Gaza is more than 34,500 Palestinians, according to local health officials, as the territory faces a humanitarian catastrophe. The war has driven around 80% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million from their homes, caused vast destruction in several towns and cities, and pushed northern Gaza to the brink of famine.
Current Developments:
- Nonstop Mideast coverage of the Israel-Hamas war pauses for protests and police action at U.S. schools.
- Colombia’s president says the country will break diplomatic relations with Israel over the war in Gaza.
- The Biden administration is weighing measures to help Palestinians bring family from the region.
- Blinken presses Hamas to seal cease-fire with Israel, saying “the time is now” for a deal.
Follow AP’s coverage of the war at AP News
Latest Updates:
Health Ministry Adds 28 People to the Israel-Hamas War Death Toll in Gaza
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 28 people killed by Israeli strikes were brought to local hospitals in the past 24 hours. Hospitals also received 51 wounded, bringing the overall Palestinian death toll to at least 34,596, with 77,816 wounded.
Fighting in Gaza Has Destroyed Over 370,000 Homes and Will Take Until at Least 2040 to Repair, UN Report Says
If the war in Gaza stopped today, it would still take until 2040 to rebuild all the homes that have been destroyed, according to United Nations estimates. At least 370,000 housing units in Gaza have been damaged, with 79,000 destroyed completely.
Hamas Praises Colombia's Decision to Break Relations with Israel
Hamas praised Colombia's announcement to break relations with Israel, calling it a recognition of the suffering of the Palestinian people. Colombia's decision came after describing Israel’s siege of Gaza as “genocide.”
