As Israel continues to reject calls for a ceasefire, pressure is expected to mount on the nation today, Monday, to avoid civilian casualties during its assault on Gaza. Meanwhile, a U.S. diplomatic campaign in the region seeks to mitigate the risks of escalating conflict. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to meet with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara today, following an incident where hundreds attempted to storm an airbase housing U.S. forces in southern Turkey during a pro-Palestinian protest.
On Sunday, Blinken made an unannounced visit to the West Bank to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who joined international calls for an immediate ceasefire. Health officials in Hamas-controlled Gaza reported that over 9,770 Palestinians have been killed since the war erupted a month ago when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 individuals and the hostage-taking of over 240.
Blinken reiterated U.S. concerns that a ceasefire could benefit Hamas, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out any pause in hostilities until the captives held by Hamas are released. Netanyahu stated, "There will be no ceasefire without the return of the hostages. This must be completely removed from the dictionary."
The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it has surrounded Gaza City at the northern edge of the enclave. The Palestinian news agency (Wafa) reported "unprecedented bombardment" from Israel, while Palestinian telecommunications company stated that communication and internet services were interrupted again.
The New York Times reported that CIA Director William Burns is expected to visit Israel today for discussions on the war and intelligence cooperation with top officials. An unnamed U.S. official indicated that Burns will also visit other Middle Eastern countries to discuss the situation in Gaza. The CIA did not respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) stated that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday, "affirming his steadfast commitment to Israel's right to defend itself and emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians and providing humanitarian aid." Austin reiterated the U.S. commitment to deterring any state or non-state actor seeking to escalate the conflict.
The office of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced that she will contact foreign leaders later today to discuss the conflict and bolster U.S. efforts to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.
In an official posting on X, Jordan's King Abdullah stated that Jordanian air force personnel successfully airdropped urgent medical supplies to the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza early Monday. The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) reported on X that a nuclear-powered Ohio-class submarine has arrived in the region, an unusual announcement suggesting a message to Iran from some analysts.
In Gaza's al-Maghazi refugee camp, people are searching for casualties or survivors amid debris. The health ministry in Gaza reported that Israeli forces killed at least 47 individuals in early Sunday airstrikes. A resident, Said Najma (53), stated, "All night, my friends and I were digging through the rubble and finding martyrs. Children’s bodies are dismembered and torn apart," adding that he was asleep with his family when the bombing hit their neighborhood.
In response to a request for comment, the Israeli military stated it is gathering details. The health ministry reported that "21 Palestinians from one family were killed in a separate strike." The Israeli military declined to comment.
Reuters was unable to independently verify these accounts. Abbas told Blinken, "We demand that you stop them from committing these crimes immediately," urging for an "immediate ceasefire" from Israel. Wafa quoted Abbas telling Blinken, "There are no words to describe the genocidal war and destruction inflicted upon our Palestinian people in Gaza by the Israeli war machine, disregarding international law."
Lebanese authorities noted that tensions have increased with Lebanon following an Israeli strike on a vehicle in the south, which resulted in the deaths of three children. Hezbollah stated that it responded by firing rockets at the town of Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel, declaring in a statement that it "will never tolerate attacks on civilians, and its response will be firm and strong."
