Israel Continues Gaza Offensive Amid International Concern

Pressure Mounts for Hostage Swap Negotiations as U.S. Defense Secretary Set to Visit Israel

Israel continues its offensive in Gaza, despite international concern over its wartime conduct, including the mistaken killing of three Israeli hostages by Israeli troops.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to visit Israel this week, amid growing unease over civilian casualties and the displacement of nearly 85% of Gaza's population.
Israel vows to continue operations until it dismantles Hamas and returns the estimated 129 hostages still held in Gaza.
Anger over the mistaken killing of hostages is likely to increase pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to renew Qatar-mediated negotiations with Hamas over swapping more of the remaining captives for Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
Israel and the U.S. remain divided on who should run Gaza after the war, with Washington advocating for a unified Palestinian government as a precursor to eventual Palestinian statehood, a concept Netanyahu's government strongly opposes.