Overview

• 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.