Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he will not halt the war in Gaza, asserting that ending the conflict now would allow Hamas to recover and attack again. With the goal of annihilating Hamas not yet achieved, negotiations for a potential ceasefire are reportedly gaining momentum, partly due to international mediation efforts from Qatar. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged Israel’s success in dismantling Hamas’s military capacity but emphasized the urgency to return hostages. The ongoing conflict has seen significant civilian casualties.