What happened?

  • US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Hamas to accept a ceasefire proposal by Egyptian mediators to halt the fighting in Gaza.

  • Blinken reiterated the US opposition to an assault on Rafah, citing concerns for civilian casualties in southern Gaza, and encouraged Israeli leaders to refrain from a major ground invasion.

  • The US has warned Israel not to go ahead with a planned assault on the city of Rafah, where 1.5 million civilians are sheltering, and has linked truce and aid deliveries in Gaza.

  • Efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza must be accelerated and sustained as the territory faces the threat of famine, with the US pushing for increased aid deliveries and warning Israel not to block them.

What is Arab media saying:

  • Hamas is considering a 40-day ceasefire proposal and will discuss it quickly, while the US has concerns about the safety of civilians in Rafah and has advocated for increased aid deliveries to Gaza amidst warnings of famine. (New Arab, Al Jazeera)

  • Blinken met with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, to discuss a potential Israel-Hamas deal, with the US hoping for a temporary halt to fighting and the release of hostages. (New Arab, Hurriyet Daily News, Ahram.org.eg)

  • The Hamas attack in southern Israel triggered the war, and Israel’s offensive has killed thousands in Gaza, while the UN chief has warned against an Israeli assault on Rafah. (New Arab)

What is international media saying:

  • Blinken described a proposed 40-day ceasefire as “extraordinarily generous,” but Hamas rejected the characterization and indicated it will respond to the truce proposal shortly. (Yahoo, Washington Times, Hurriyet Daily News, Ahram.org.eg)

  • Israel offered to halt its offensive in Gaza and release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages taken on Oct. 7, awaiting Hamas’ response, but Hamas insists on a “permanent” ceasefire before agreeing to the release of hostages, a condition Israel has consistently rejected. (Hurriyet Daily News, Liberation.fr)

  • Mediating countries are awaiting Hamas’ response to a ceasefire proposal linked to the release of hostages in Gaza, but Hamas is obstructing a ceasefire deal, while Netanyahu insists on entering Rafah for a total victory, rejecting a ceasefire agreement before achieving all objectives. (France24, Yahoo, Ahram.org.eg, Liberation.fr)

  • The UN warned of possible famine in Gaza due to restrictions on food and supplies, and international pressure mounted on Israel over its conduct during the war, with the ICC potentially charging both Netanyahu and Hamas officials. (Yahoo, France24)

What is Israeli media saying:

  • Israel reopened the Erez crossing on the northern edge of the Gaza Strip for aid trucks after it was attacked by Hamas on October 7, and the IDF carried out engineering work to ensure a smooth entry of aid trucks via Erez crossing. (Times of Israel)

  • Blinken opposes a major attack on Gaza’s Rafah city and suggests “better ways” to deal with Hamas, while the US will not support such an operation without a plan to protect civilians. (Times of Israel)

  • Jordan’s aid convoys were allegedly attacked by settlers as they headed towards Gaza, and activists opposed to aid to Gaza tried to block trucks, prompting arrests and condemnation from Jordan. (Times of Israel)

Sources: