(VOVWORLD) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out a temporary cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, saying he will press ahead with a devastating military offensive until hostages held by the Hamas militant group are released.
 Israeli soldiers patrol the Gaza's border on October 28, 2023. (Photo: THX/VNA) |
Netanyahu spoke shortly after meeting Friday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who pressed Israel for a temporary pause in its offensive to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Blinken also urged Israel to do more to protect civilians from its attacks.
Also on Friday, the IDF and the Israeli security agency Shin Bet claimed to have killed the commander of Sabra Tel Al-Hawa battalion of Hamas, Mustafa Dalul, in an air strike on Thursday night.
In related news, Honduras on Friday became the next Latin American country to recall its ambassador in Israel for consultations on what it described as the “serious humanitarian situation” facing the Palestinians in Gaza. Chile and Colombia also recalled their ambassadors shortly after. Earlier this week, Bolivia also became the first Latin American country to cut off ties with Israel since the conflict broke out.