Overview

• Israeli officials rebuked U.S. recommendations for reducing civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, with the IDF Chief of Staff arguing more casualties would arise if they adopted the American-proposed strategies.
• Despite calls for immediate cease-fire from Arab leaders and the rise in global protests, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken maintained his stance that a cease-fire now would allow Hamas to regroup.
• The death toll in the Gaza Strip has surpassed 9,400, according to Hamas-run health ministry, although these figures remain unverified and are thought by Israeli and U.S officials to potentially be inflated.
• U.S and Arab allies are in disagreement regarding the implementation of a ceasefire - while Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi calls for an end to the conflict, Antony Blinken argues that a ceasefire now would leave Hamas in place.
• Amid the conflict, global protests are taking place in cities like Washington, Berlin, and Istanbul, demanding an end to the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.