Gaza

The individuals identified as casualties include Raad Thabet, purportedly the head of Hamas's recruitment and procurement department, and Mahmoud Khalil Zakzuk, identified by the IDF as the deputy commander of Hamas's rocket unit in Gaza City. Additionally, the IDF confirmed the deaths of two other senior Hamas figures, Fadi Dweik and Zakaria Najib.

The IDF stated that among the seized weapons were Kalashnikov rifles, explosives, mortars, grenades, and various assault rifles, concealed amidst medical equipment. 

With unanimous support from the other 14 members, the resolution also emphasized the imperative for Hamas to release hostages taken during the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent visit to the Middle East aimed to broker an immediate ceasefire, but Israeli authorities remain committed to the terms outlined by their war cabinet, as confirmed by sources within the Israeli Defense Ministry.

His remarks were prompted by recent calls for Israeli elections by US Senator Chuck Schumer and mounting scrutiny from the White House regarding Netanyahu's handling of the situation.

Hamas has signaled a willingness to shift its stance from demanding a permanent end to the conflict to accepting a temporary cessation for a period of six weeks. Meanwhile, Israel has reportedly come close to agreeing to release 1000 Palestinian detainees, including around 100 individuals facing serious charges such as murder.

According to a statement from the official Prime Minister of Israel's social media account, the two leaders delved into various topics, including efforts to secure the release of hostages and the pressing issue of humanitarian aid in the region.

Expressing solidarity with the suffering endured by Palestinians, Biden acknowledges the immense toll the conflict has taken on their lives. He highlights the tragic loss of over 30,000 Palestinian lives during the recent Gaza operation, initiated in response to an attack by Hamas militants that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of around 250 individuals.

This brings the total number of casualties to 31,045 deaths and 72,654 injuries. Tragically, some individuals are still trapped beneath the rubble, compounded by the challenges of rescue efforts amidst relentless bombardment and a shortage of emergency responders.

Over the weekend, the Israel Prime Minister's Office disclosed that Mossad Chief David Barnra met with William Burns, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), in Amman, Jordan. During this meeting, Mossad briefed the CIA on Hamas' purported intentions to exacerbate unrest in the Gaza Strip, thereby complicating the situation for Palestinians.