The Israeli army has killed three captives held by Palestinian armed groups in Gaza after mistakenly identifying them as a threat, according to Israeli military officials. To know more watch this interview with Former Director of National Security Council Israel, Helit Barel.

Israel-Hamas war: Hundreds protest in Tel Aviv after Israel kills three hostages by mistake

It is 13 weeks now since Hamas raided Israel and took some 240 Israeli hostages close to 100 of them were released during the brief truce. Nearly 110 are still in Hamas captivity here's a video release of calls to free the hostages on behalf of the families of the hostages.

Calls to rescue Israeli hostages from Hamas peak

Israel-Hamas war: Hundreds protest after IDF kills three hostages by mistake

The Israeli army has killed three captives held by Palestinian armed groups in Gaza after mistakenly identifying them as a threat, according to Israeli military officials.

Israel-Hamas war: Will there be a renewed truce in Gaza?

Israel-Hamas war: IDF mistakenly kills three hostages holding white flags

A new report published by a top American media house has unearthed a mountain of Hamas' finances that Israeli Intelligence Mossad had acknowledged going back to 2018 yet chose to ignore. These very funds were lightly used by Hamas in preparation for the deadly attacks on October 7th. Watch to know more.

Israel-Hamas war: Did Israel ignore intel on Hamas attack?

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement has engaged in Oman-mediated talks with international parties about its operations in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. This is according to a Houthi spokesperson. This follows a series of attacks on ships by the militia group. To know more watch this interview with Edward P Joseph, Senior Fellow at the John Hopkins University.

Houthi Red Sea attack: More ships suspend passage in the Red Sea

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement has engaged in Oman-mediated talks with international parties about its operations in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. This is according to a Houthi spokesperson. This follows a series of attacks on ships by the militia group.

Houthi Red Sea attack: Yemen Houthis in Oman-mediated talks over Red Sea operations

Israel's offensive continues in Gaza and the cost of war is increasing in terms of lives being lost and families being destroyed. An entire generation of children is suffering endlessly out of the 18,800 people killed in Gaza so far 70% of them have been women and children.

Israel-Hamas war: Israel's offensive kills 19,000 Gazans

Report: Israel knew of Hamas' terror financing as Mossad uncovered Hamas ledgers in 2018

Israel's ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip has spilled over into the Red Sea. The Houthis have ramped up their attacks on Israeli-affiliated ships or any ships that are suspected of carrying cargo to Israeli ports.

Red Sea threats amid Israel-Hamas war

Iran says it has executed Mossad agent accused of spying for Israel.

Iran says it has executed Mossad agent accused of spying for Israel

U.S. President Joe Biden has warned his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu that the latter could be losing international support because of the rising civilian casualty in Gaza. In his harshest public criticism yet of Netanyahu, Biden has asked Netanyahu to change. Israel has responded by saying that the war will continue with or without international support.

Israel-Hamas War: The death toll in Gaza has crossed 18,000

Israel-Gaza War: Biden says Netanyahu must change | Is Bibi losing international support?

Let's reflect on the moments, individuals, and trends that piqued our collective curiosity in 2023. As customary this time of year, internet companies unveil the top trends by analysing data, showcasing what the world searched for the most in the last 12 months. In this story, we present the major Google search trends of 2023.

Israel-Hamas tops list of Google searches in 2023

Israel bombs Gaza as rift with US grows. US President Joe Biden, whose government has provided Israel with billions of dollars in military aid, delivers his sharpest rebuke of the war. US National security adviser Jake Sullivan discusses “efforts to reduce harm to civilians” during israel visit.

IDF to continue war with or without international support: Netanyahu

Israel-Hamas war: IDF mistake kills three hostages held in Gaza

National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said that once Hamas is defeated in Gaza, Israel may have to go to war against Hezbollah across the northern border in Lebanon. While on the other hand, Yemen's Houthis vow to target all Israel-bound ships in Red Sea.

Israel-Hamas war: Another attack in the Red Sea by the Yemen's Houthis

Israel-Hamas war: Israeli army bears full responsibility

Israel-Hamas war: IDF mistake kills three hostages in Gaza

Israel continues to pound the Gaza Strip with increased intensity the ongoing military offensive continues to flatten Southern Gaza. Over 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million civilians stand displaced.

Israel-Hamas war: Palestinian death toll touches 18,890, including 7,729 children

Casualties in the Gaza War continue to rise and so does the number of journalists killed in the conflict. An unfortunate addition to the list of journalists and media persons killed in the Gaza War, Al Jazeera has confirmed that its journalist Samer Abdudaqa was killed in an Israeli drone attack.

Israel-Hamas war: Al Jazeera cameraperson killed in Gaza

Israeli Defense Forces have surely sparked concerns over the safety of the remaining hostages amid Israel's continued offensive. Over 100 hostages are still held in captivity in Gaza. On Thursday Israel revised the number of hostages alive in Gaza to 115.

Israel-Hamas war: How will Israel ensure the safety of hostages still held in Gaza?

Israel-Hamas war: Netanyahu calls the killings 'unbearable tragedy'

Israel-Hamas war: IDF releases video footage of operations in Gaza & Jabalia

Amid raging Arab-Israel tensions,&nbsp;Iranian authorities on Saturday (Dec 16) executed a man who was handed over the death sentence after he was found working for the intelligence services of Israel, Mossad, said the judiciary. 
 
"The death sentence was carried out this morning against a spy of the Zionist regime in Zahedan prison” in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, said the judiciary's Mizan Online website. 
 
The identity of the man was not revealed but Iran said that he was convicted of "intelligence co-operation and espionage for the benefit of the hostile Zionist regime (Israel)".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-starts-flooding-seawater-in-gaza-tunnels-to-dismantle-hamas-network-report-669279">Israel starts flooding seawater in Gaza tunnels to dismantle Hamas network: Report</a>

Meanwhile, the official IRNA news agency said, "This person communicated with foreign services, specifically Mossad, collecting classified information, and with participation with associates, provided documents to foreign services, including the Mossad.” 
 
It added the accused man had provided classified information to a "Mossad officer" which was aimed at spreading "propaganda for groups and organisations opposed to the Islamic Republic". 
 
It was not immediately known when and in which place the accused was arrested or put on trial.

<h2>Several hangings, multiple arrests in Iran</h2>

Previously, Iran announced the arrests of alleged agents who, as per the authorities, were working for foreign countries, which includes Israel, which remains its regional arch-foe. 
 
The Islamic Republic in December 2022 executed four people who were accused of collaborating with the intelligence services of Israel. 
 
Iran has refused to recognise Israel and the two countries have been involved in a shadow war for years. Israel has been accused by Tehran of carrying out multiple sabotage attacks and assassinations which targeted its nuclear programme.

Watch:&nbsp;Israel-Palestine war: WION takes you inside an IDF base near Gaza | WION Ground Report

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Iran has been accused by the United States and Israel of using drones and missiles to attack US forces and Israel-linked ships in the Gulf. 
 
As per the human rights groups, which included Amnesty International, the countries which carry out maximum executions are Iran and China. 
 
As per a November report, the Iran Human Rights group – which is based in Norway – said that more than 600 people have been executed by the Islamic Republic so far this year, which marks the highest figure in eight years. Generally, Iran carries out executions by hanging people.

(With inputs from agencies)

Amid raging Arab-Israel tensions, Iranian authorities on Saturday (Dec 16) executed a man who was handed over the death sentence after he was found working for the intelligence services of Israel, Mossad, said the judiciary.

Amid raging Arab-Israel tensions, Iranian authorities on Saturday (Dec 16) executed a man who was handed over the death sentence after he was found working for the intelligence services of Israel, Mossad, said the judiciary. "The death sentence was carried out this morning against a spy of the Zionist regime in Zahedan prison” in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, said the judiciary's Mizan Online website. The identity of the man was not revealed but Iran said that he was convicted of "intelligence co-operation and espionage for the benefit of the hostile Zionist regime (Israel)". Also read: Israel starts flooding seawater in Gaza tunnels to dismantle Hamas network: Report Meanwhile, the official IRNA news agency said, "This person communicated with foreign services, specifically Mossad, collecting classified information, and with participation with associates, provided documents to foreign services, including the Mossad.” It added the accused man had provided classified information to a "Mossad officer" which was aimed at spreading "propaganda for groups and organisations opposed to the Islamic Republic". It was not immediately known when and in which place the accused was arrested or put on trial. Several hangings, multiple arrests in Iran Previously, Iran announced the arrests of alleged agents who, as per the authorities, were working for foreign countries, which includes Israel, which remains its regional arch-foe. The Islamic Republic in December 2022 executed four people who were accused of collaborating with the intelligence services of Israel. Iran has refused to recognise Israel and the two countries have been involved in a shadow war for years. Israel has been accused by Tehran of carrying out multiple sabotage attacks and assassinations which targeted its nuclear programme. Watch: Israel-Palestine war: WION takes you inside an IDF base near Gaza | WION Ground Report Iran has been accused by the United States and Israel of using drones and missiles to attack US forces and Israel-linked ships in the Gulf. As per the human rights groups, which included Amnesty International, the countries which carry out maximum executions are Iran and China. As per a November report, the Iran Human Rights group – which is based in Norway – said that more than 600 people have been executed by the Islamic Republic so far this year, which marks the highest figure in eight years. Generally, Iran carries out executions by hanging people. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran executes man linked with Israel's intelligence service amid raging war in Gaza

Israel faces pressure to scale down offensive, US urges Israel to end war

Israel-Hamas war: Will Israel push back amid mounting international pressure?

Israeli army&nbsp;in early hours of Saturday (Dec&nbsp;16, IST) said that its soldiers had "mistakenly" shot dead&nbsp;three hostages&nbsp;after considering them a threat.

"During combat in Shejaiya, the IDF (army) mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat. As a result, the troops fired toward them and they were killed," the army said in a statement, expressing "deep remorse over the tragic incident".

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דובר צה"ל: 
 
במהלך הלחימה בשג׳עייה, כוח צה״ל זיהה בשוגג שלושה חטופים ישראלים כאיום. כתוצאה מכך הכוח ירה לעברם והם נהרגו. 
 
במהלך סריקה ובדיקה של מרחב האירוע עלה חשד לגבי זהות ההרוגים. הגופות נלקחו לבדיקה בשטח ישראל ולאחריה התברר כי מדובר בשלושה חטופים ישראלים&gt;&gt;
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1735725778250170731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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"The IDF began reviewing the incident immediately... Immediate lessons from the event have been learned, which have been passed on to all IDF troops in the field," it added.

The army has identified two of the hostages and has withheld the name of the third hostage after a request from the family.

Yotam Haim, one of the dead hostages was abducted by Hamas terrorists during October 7 attack from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. The second hostage, Samer El-Talaqa was taken from Kibbutz Nir Am.

When it launched its attack on October 7, Hamas terrorists killed 1200 Israelis and took around 250 as hostages.

The Israeli army also said earlier on Friday that the body of&nbsp;Elia Toledano, a French-Israeli hostage was returned to Israel. Toledano was not part of the group of three hostages which were mistakenly shot by Israeli troops on Saturday.

<h2>Status of the war and main developments on&nbsp;Friday (Dec 15)</h2>

Amid the still raging Israel-Hamas war, Israel on Friday (Dec 15) reopened aid crossing into the Gaza Strip. Israel has been under increasing global pressure especially from the United States for restraint and for efforts to avoid civilian casualties. The Hamas-run health ministry in the Gaza strip has already claimed that the death toll in the enclave has crossed 18,000.&nbsp; Israel has announced that opening of the crossing would be a "temporary" measure.

Meanwhile, fierce fighting between the two sides continued on Friday. Hamas claimed to have blown up a house in Khan Yunis that the militant group said had Israeli soldiers inside.

Watch | Israel-Hamas tops list of Google searches in 2023

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AFP reported that in Rafah near the Egyptian border, Palestinians searched for possible survivors under buildings destroyed due to Israeli strikes.

Notable development of the day was interception of missiles over Jerusalem.&nbsp;The city has a powerful missile defence system.

Israel's army said on Friday that 119 soldiers had died in Gaza since its ground offensive began.

US, the biggest international backer of Israel which gives billions of dollars to the latter in military aid, has so far strongly backed Israel and has said that it had a right to defend itself. But top US officials including US President Joe Biden have expressed major concerns about the rising death toll in Gaza Strip.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maersk-suspends-shipping-through-red-sea-strait-after-attacks-from-houthi-rebels-670091">Maersk suspends shipping through Red Sea strait after attacks from Houthi rebels</a>

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who met Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, met Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas in West Bank on Friday.

Abbas asserted that Gaza should remain an "integral part" of the Palestinian state.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/45pc-of-israeli-air-to-ground-munitions-in-gaza-are-dumb-bombs-reveals-report-669941">45 pc of Israeli air-to-ground munitions in Gaza are 'dumb bombs', reveals report</a>

On Friday, there were calls from multiple Western nations including Britain, Canada, France and the European Union and Australia that Israel should "take concrete steps to halt unprecedented violence by Israeli settlers".&nbsp;

A journalist from Turkey's Anadolu news agency was assaulted by Israeli police in East Jerusalem when he tried to take photos of praying Palestinians. It was even reported that the police kicked him when he was on the ground in an injured state.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israeli army in early hours of Saturday (Dec 16, IST) said that its soldiers had "mistakenly" shot dead three hostages after considering them a threat. "During combat in Shejaiya, the IDF (army) mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat.

Israeli army in early hours of Saturday (Dec 16, IST) said that its soldiers had "mistakenly" shot dead three hostages after considering them a threat. "During combat in Shejaiya, the IDF (army) mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat. As a result, the troops fired toward them and they were killed," the army said in a statement, expressing "deep remorse over the tragic incident". דובר צה"ל: במהלך הלחימה בשג׳עייה, כוח צה״ל זיהה בשוגג שלושה חטופים ישראלים כאיום. כתוצאה מכך הכוח ירה לעברם והם נהרגו. במהלך סריקה ובדיקה של מרחב האירוע עלה חשד לגבי זהות ההרוגים. הגופות נלקחו לבדיקה בשטח ישראל ולאחריה התברר כי מדובר בשלושה חטופים ישראלים>> — צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 15, 2023 × "The IDF began reviewing the incident immediately... Immediate lessons from the event have been learned, which have been passed on to all IDF troops in the field," it added. The army has identified two of the hostages and has withheld the name of the third hostage after a request from the family. Yotam Haim, one of the dead hostages was abducted by Hamas terrorists during October 7 attack from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. The second hostage, Samer El-Talaqa was taken from Kibbutz Nir Am. When it launched its attack on October 7, Hamas terrorists killed 1200 Israelis and took around 250 as hostages. The Israeli army also said earlier on Friday that the body of Elia Toledano, a French-Israeli hostage was returned to Israel. Toledano was not part of the group of three hostages which were mistakenly shot by Israeli troops on Saturday. Status of the war and main developments on Friday (Dec 15) Amid the still raging Israel-Hamas war, Israel on Friday (Dec 15) reopened aid crossing into the Gaza Strip. Israel has been under increasing global pressure especially from the United States for restraint and for efforts to avoid civilian casualties. The Hamas-run health ministry in the Gaza strip has already claimed that the death toll in the enclave has crossed 18,000. Israel has announced that opening of the crossing would be a "temporary" measure. Meanwhile, fierce fighting between the two sides continued on Friday. Hamas claimed to have blown up a house in Khan Yunis that the militant group said had Israeli soldiers inside. Watch | Israel-Hamas tops list of Google searches in 2023 × AFP reported that in Rafah near the Egyptian border, Palestinians searched for possible survivors under buildings destroyed due to Israeli strikes. Notable development of the day was interception of missiles over Jerusalem. The city has a powerful missile defence system. Israel's army said on Friday that 119 soldiers had died in Gaza since its ground offensive began. US, the biggest international backer of Israel which gives billions of dollars to the latter in military aid, has so far strongly backed Israel and has said that it had a right to defend itself. But top US officials including US President Joe Biden have expressed major concerns about the rising death toll in Gaza Strip. Also Read | Maersk suspends shipping through Red Sea strait after attacks from Houthi rebels US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who met Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, met Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas in West Bank on Friday. Abbas asserted that Gaza should remain an "integral part" of the Palestinian state. Also Read | 45 pc of Israeli air-to-ground munitions in Gaza are 'dumb bombs', reveals report On Friday, there were calls from multiple Western nations including Britain, Canada, France and the European Union and Australia that Israel should "take concrete steps to halt unprecedented violence by Israeli settlers". A journalist from Turkey's Anadolu news agency was assaulted by Israeli police in East Jerusalem when he tried to take photos of praying Palestinians. It was even reported that the police kicked him when he was on the ground in an injured state. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel troops ‘mistakenly’ shot dead three Israeli hostages, says army

The United States on Thursday (Dec 14) said that it wants the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas to "end as soon as possible," the White House said.

The comments by the White House came amid US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's visit to Israel as the international pressure mounted over Tel Aviv due to a rise in the number of civilian casualties in Gaza more than two months into the Israel-Hamas war.

Sullivan, during his visit to Tel Aviv, discussed Israel moving to "low-intensity operations" against Gaza "in the near future", White House spokesman John Kirby said.&nbsp;

The top White House official also met Defence Minister Yoav Gallant who told him that the war would last for "more than several months", according to Gallant's office.

"Hamas is a terrorist organization that built itself over a decade to fight Israel, and they built infrastructure under the ground and above the ground and it is not easy to destroy them," his office said in a statement.

"It will require a period of time -- it will last more than several months, but we will win and we will destroy them," it added.

Ahead of his trip, Sullivan said at a Wall Street Journal event that he would discuss a timetable to end the war and urge Israeli leaders "to move to a different phase from the kind of high-intensity operations that we see today."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-is-confident-over-victory-in-war-says-goals-have-not-changed-in-ukraine-669620">Vladimir Putin is confident of victory in war, says goals have not changed in Ukraine</a>

Israel has come under mounting pressure even from its key backer US as President Joe Biden said Tel Aviv's "indiscriminate" bombing of civilians was costing it international support.

<h2>Spain FM urges Israel to distinguish 'terrorists' from Gaza civilians</h2>

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares on Thursday called on Israel to differentiate between its "terrorist targets" and civilians in Gaza, adding that places of worship, hospitals and UN buildings should be spared.

"Spain's voice will always be raised to protect the rights of the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza," Albares said on a visit to Morocco.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nothing-will-stop-us-until-victory-in-gaza-says-israeli-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-669443"> 'Nothing will stop us' until victory is achieved in Gaza, says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>

"We must make a distinction between terrorist targets and the civilian population. We cannot have places of worship, hospitals, United Nations offices as targets," he said at a joint press conference with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita.

Albares further setting the record straight about Spain's backing to Israel in its war against Hamas said that his country had condemned the attacks launched by the Palestinian militant group and that Tel Aviv had the right to defend itself but "this defence against this terrorist attack must be done within the limits of international humanitarian law".

This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday reiterated that "nothing could stop" his country from continuing the war until it achieves victory against the Palestinian militant group.

"We will continue until the end. There is no question at all. I say this in light of great pain, but also in light of international pressure. Nothing will stop us. We are going until the end, until victory, nothing less than that," Netanyahu said in a video statement released by his office.

While talking to the soldiers over the radio, Netanyahu said, "I want you to pass this along to the last of the soldiers - we're continuing until the end, until victory, until Hamas is annihilated, let there be no doubt about this. This is important, it is a message I want to convey to each and every soldier over there."

Around 1,200 Israelis, most of them civilians, lost their lives in the Oct 7 attacks, in which Hamas gunmen also took some 240 hostages, according to Israeli officials.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The United States on Thursday (Dec 14) said that it wants the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas to "end as soon as possible," the White House said.

The United States on Thursday (Dec 14) said that it wants the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas to "end as soon as possible," the White House said. The comments by the White House came amid US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's visit to Israel as the international pressure mounted over Tel Aviv due to a rise in the number of civilian casualties in Gaza more than two months into the Israel-Hamas war. Sullivan, during his visit to Tel Aviv, discussed Israel moving to "low-intensity operations" against Gaza "in the near future", White House spokesman John Kirby said. The top White House official also met Defence Minister Yoav Gallant who told him that the war would last for "more than several months", according to Gallant's office. "Hamas is a terrorist organization that built itself over a decade to fight Israel, and they built infrastructure under the ground and above the ground and it is not easy to destroy them," his office said in a statement. "It will require a period of time -- it will last more than several months, but we will win and we will destroy them," it added. Ahead of his trip, Sullivan said at a Wall Street Journal event that he would discuss a timetable to end the war and urge Israeli leaders "to move to a different phase from the kind of high-intensity operations that we see today." Also read: Vladimir Putin is confident of victory in war, says goals have not changed in Ukraine Israel has come under mounting pressure even from its key backer US as President Joe Biden said Tel Aviv's "indiscriminate" bombing of civilians was costing it international support. Spain FM urges Israel to distinguish 'terrorists' from Gaza civilians Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares on Thursday called on Israel to differentiate between its "terrorist targets" and civilians in Gaza, adding that places of worship, hospitals and UN buildings should be spared. "Spain's voice will always be raised to protect the rights of the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza," Albares said on a visit to Morocco. Also read: 'Nothing will stop us' until victory is achieved in Gaza, says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "We must make a distinction between terrorist targets and the civilian population. We cannot have places of worship, hospitals, United Nations offices as targets," he said at a joint press conference with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita. Albares further setting the record straight about Spain's backing to Israel in its war against Hamas said that his country had condemned the attacks launched by the Palestinian militant group and that Tel Aviv had the right to defend itself but "this defence against this terrorist attack must be done within the limits of international humanitarian law". This comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday reiterated that "nothing could stop" his country from continuing the war until it achieves victory against the Palestinian militant group. "We will continue until the end. There is no question at all. I say this in light of great pain, but also in light of international pressure. Nothing will stop us. We are going until the end, until victory, nothing less than that," Netanyahu said in a video statement released by his office. While talking to the soldiers over the radio, Netanyahu said, "I want you to pass this along to the last of the soldiers - we're continuing until the end, until victory, until Hamas is annihilated, let there be no doubt about this. This is important, it is a message I want to convey to each and every soldier over there." Around 1,200 Israelis, most of them civilians, lost their lives in the Oct 7 attacks, in which Hamas gunmen also took some 240 hostages, according to Israeli officials. (With inputs from agencies)

United States wants Israel-Hamas war to end 'as soon as possible', says White House

US President Joe Biden administration's support of Israel in the war against Hamas has drawn sharp criticism both from Americans protesting Palestinian civilian deaths and from state department staff calling for a cease-fire. Question remains is US' support for Israel waning due to deaths in Gaza?

US says not right for Israel to occupy Gaza long-term as death toll rises

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