More than 10,000 people in Gaza have been killed since the war began one month ago, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which released the figure as Israeli forces closed in on Gaza City. On the last leg of his visit to the Middle East, Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed optimism that the United States would be able to persuade Israel to implement “humanitarian pauses” on fighting in Gaza, though Israeli officials have said they refuse to partake in one. In a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Biden also discussed “tactical pauses” that would allow civilians to flee areas of fighting as well as help ensure aid can safely reach them, according to the White House.
