Just as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the « intense phase » of the war is nearing its end, Israel has escalated its bombardment of Gaza, leading to the deaths of 13 people in two schools and a home in Gaza City. Meanwhile, the United States has urged Israel to avoid further escalation along the Lebanon border, where daily cross-border fire with Hezbollah has heightened fears of a broader conflict.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Washington, emphasizing the need to prevent the violence from spiraling and to seek a diplomatic resolution that allows Israeli and Lebanese families to return to their homes. This plea comes amid Israel’s plans to redeploy soldiers from Gaza to the Lebanese border.

Netanyahu faces mounting protests in Israel for failing to secure the release of 116 hostages still held in Gaza. Despite calls for a ceasefire from Hamas, Netanyahu remains steadfast in his goal to uproot the Hamas regime and retrieve the kidnapped individuals.

Since the Israel-Hamas war erupted on October 7, Israel’s offensive has devastated Gaza, resulting in over 37,626 deaths and leaving nearly the entire population homeless. The conflict began after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostage, according to Israeli sources.