Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. has filed a draft UN resolution calling for an urgent Gaza cease-fire connected to the release of Israeli hostages. Blinken, on his sixth Middle East tour since October, said in an interview that a truce arrangement was "getting closer," although he did not explain why. After discussions with Egypt today, he will visit Israel tomorrow.
Today, the Israeli forces reported killing 50 Palestinian gunmen in fighting around the Al Shifa hospital in northern Gaza. It said "precise operational activity" at the complex, which it says Hamas was using as a base, killed over 140 alleged fighters.
The facility houses 30,000 patients, medical workers, and displaced persons, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised Senate Republicans in a video chat Sunday night that he will continue the Gaza conflict. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., denied Netanyahu's request to address the Senate Democratic Caucus days after he called for new Israeli elections. Schumer's spokesperson said he made it clear he doesn't want partisan talks.
At least 27 individuals have died of starvation in Gaza since Oct. 7, according to the Health Ministry. Another 73,500 were hurt. Israeli military says 247 troops have died during the ground invasion of Gaza. In a closed-door meeting Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was welcomed by Republican senators.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., refused Netanyahu's request to address the Senate Democratic Caucus, a spokesperson said. "Sen. Schumer made it clear that he does not think these discussions should happen in a partisan manner." Not helpful to Israel.”
The split-screen shows how American opinions of Netanyahu and Israel's Gaza policy have polarized, eroding bipartisan support for Israel. After Hamas attacked Israelis on Oct. 7, Netanyahu and top Democratic officials in the U.S. are at odds over a growing and deadly Middle East war.
Schumer said Netanyahu is solely responsible for U.S. disapproval of his government at his weekly news conference Wednesday. Yesterday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated the U.S. filed a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza related to Hamas' release of Israeli hostages.
Bliken, who is on his sixth Middle East tour since October, said the U.S. supported Israel's right to defend itself but should prioritize "the civilians who are in harm's way and who are suffering so terribly."
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