United States reaction: Diplomatic officials who traveled to the Middle East on Saturday said progress has been made to pressure Israel toward a humanitarian pause in the fighting, but there is still work to be done. A senior U.S. official said pressuring Hamas to release the hostages is a central issue in talks with Israel that could be linked to a longer-term ceasefire.
Aid: United Nations officials are increasing pressure on Israel to temporarily halt its attack on the Gaza Strip as the largest humanitarian aid organization in the enclave teeters on the brink of collapse.
Ceasefire calls: Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Washington, DC, on Saturday, adding to international pressure to stop the fighting. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that attacks on Gaza will continue until Hamas releases all hostages taken in the October 7 attacks.
Damaged: Israel said 24 soldiers have been killed in Gaza and elsewhere since the start of ground operations in the enclave. Hamas-controlled Gaza health authorities said more than 9,400 people had died, most of them women and children. They do not distinguish between militants and civilians. More than 1,400 people in Israel were killed in the attacks that sparked the war, including more than 300 Israel Defense Forces soldiers, Israeli officials said.
