Israel has asked the White House to reschedule a high-level meeting on military plans for Gaza's southern city of Rafah that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had abruptly canceled, officials said on Wednesday, in an apparent bid to ease tensions between the two allies.

Israel asks US to reschedule meeting on Rafah, White House says 'working with Israel to set a date'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands more isolated than ever. His global allies are slowly turning their back on him. One of his ministers has also resigned. Is Netanyahu losing support?

Israeli PM Netanyahu stands isolated on the global stage?

At least five people were killed and 10 were injured in the Al Shati camp in Gaza after airdropped aid packages fell on them. This is just the latest in a series of incidents involving deaths during aid deliveries in the Palestinian enclave.

Gravitas | Gaza aid crisis: 5 killed after airdropped package falls on them

A day after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh travelled to Iran, where he expressed gratitude for the support provided by Tehran. Celebrating the UNSC resolution, Haniyeh said that Israel had "failed to achieve any of its military or strategic goals" in Gaza.

Gravitas: Hamas leader Haniyeh meets Iran's President | Tehran reaffirms support

One of the Israeli airstrikes killed 11 people in Rafah, raising new fear among the more than a million people sheltering in the last refuge on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip that a long-threatened ground assault could be coming.

Israel War: At least 11 killed as Israel strikes Rafah

Three Hezbollah militants were killed in Israeli air strikes near two towns in northeast Lebanon on Tuesday, the group posted on Telegram, the furthest bombardment yet from the border where Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged fire.

Israel war: IDF conducts fresh strikes in Lebanon

After the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas in which some 1,200 Israelis were killed, the Israeli military's assault on Gaza has displaced nearly its entire 2.3 million population, flattened most of the enclaves, killed close to 32,000 Gazans, most of them women & children and precipitated a starvation crisis.

A quarter of Gaza's population on the brink of famine

Here, we bring you the news that is trending across WION's social media platforms- US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday it was a moral and strategic imperative to protect Palestinian civilians in the war between Israel and Hamas and that the humanitarian catastrophe in besieged Gaza was getting worse.

Protecting Palestinians a moral imperative, Pentagon Chief tells Israeli counterpart

Israel's military spokesman says Hamas deputy military commander Marwan Issa was killed earlier this month in an Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip. Watch in for more details!

Israel War: Israel claims senior Hamas commander Marwan Issa killed in Gaza strike

The Gaza authorities claimed on Tuesday that twelve Palestinians drowned while attempting to retrieve airdropped aid that had fallen into the Mediterranean, the latest incident in which an airdrop appears to have resulted in death.

Israel War: Twelve Palestinians drown while trying to retrieve airdrops

Israel War: Israel claims senior Hamas commander killed in recent attack

US&nbsp;Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday it was a moral and strategic imperative to protect Palestinian civilians in the war between Israel and Hamas and that the humanitarian catastrophe in besieged Gaza was getting worse.

Austin was speaking during a meeting with Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at the Pentagon as relations between US&nbsp;President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sank to a wartime low.

"In Gaza today, the number of civilian casualties is far too high and the amount of humanitarian aid is far too low," Austin said, sitting across from Gallant, a key architect of the military campaign against Hamas in response to the militants' Oct. 7 cross-border rampage that Israel says killed 1,200 people.

"Gaza is suffering a humanitarian catastrophe and the situation is getting even worse," Austin said, using some of his most forceful language so far.

The Pentagon later said Austin's discussion with Gallant was frank and direct.

The Israeli defense minister also met for a second day with US&nbsp;national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who told Gallant that Israel needs to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Gallant later held talks with CIA Director William Burns, recently returned from talks in Qatar seeking an elusive deal for Hamas' release of more than 130 hostages still held in Gaza.

Speaking to reporters, Gallant, apparently seeking to cool U.S.-Israeli tensions, said he stressed the importance of U.S. ties to his country's security and of maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region, including its air capabilities.

"We share 100% of the values and 99% of the interests with the United States," Gallant said.

Biden has come under pressure from human right groups and some fellow Democrats to condition further military aid on Netanyahu holding off on a threatened offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering. The U.S. president has resisted doing so.

<h2 data-testid="Heading">FEARS OF FAMINE</h2>

Israel has launched strikes and shelling in Gaza that have killed more than 32,000 Palestinians, according to the health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave.

"We need immediate increases in assistance to avert famine," Austin said.

A senior US&nbsp;defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said more aid was now flowing through land crossings and that about 200 trucks were crossing into Gaza daily.

Gallant's meeting with Austin took place after Netanyahu on Monday canceled a separate visit to Washington by two senior aides due to hear US&nbsp;ideas about operational alternatives in Rafah.

Netanyahu's fraught relations with Biden became even more strained over Washington's decision not to veto a UN&nbsp;Security Council resolution seeking an immediate&nbsp;ceasefire in Gaza. The United States has been working to get Netanyahu to consider other options instead of a ground invasion of Rafah, the last relatively safe haven for Palestinian civilians.

Austin said he was ready to discuss alternate approaches to targeting Hamas militants there.

The senior defense official said Austin discussed potential steps like Israel's precision targeting of Hamas fighters in the southern city on Gaza's border with Egypt.

The threat of such an offensive has increased differences between close allies the United States and Israel, and raised questions about whether the US&nbsp;might restrict military aid if Netanyahu defies Biden and presses ahead anyway.

Gallant emphasised that while he had discussed humanitarian aid, he had also made clear Israel's plan to go ahead with efforts to destroy Hamas, saying it was necessary to deter "common enemies," an apparent reference to Iran. Hamas, he said, still has five battalions operating in Rafah.

Austin said the security bond between Israel and the United States was "unshakeable". "The United States is Israel's closest friend and that won't change," he added

&nbsp;

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday it was a moral and strategic imperative to protect Palestinian civilians in the war between Israel and Hamas and that the humanitarian catastrophe in besieged Gaza was getting worse.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday it was a moral and strategic imperative to protect Palestinian civilians in the war between Israel and Hamas and that the humanitarian catastrophe in besieged Gaza was getting worse. Austin was speaking during a meeting with Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at the Pentagon as relations between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sank to a wartime low. "In Gaza today, the number of civilian casualties is far too high and the amount of humanitarian aid is far too low," Austin said, sitting across from Gallant, a key architect of the military campaign against Hamas in response to the militants' Oct. 7 cross-border rampage that Israel says killed 1,200 people. "Gaza is suffering a humanitarian catastrophe and the situation is getting even worse," Austin said, using some of his most forceful language so far. The Pentagon later said Austin's discussion with Gallant was frank and direct. The Israeli defense minister also met for a second day with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, who told Gallant that Israel needs to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said. Gallant later held talks with CIA Director William Burns, recently returned from talks in Qatar seeking an elusive deal for Hamas' release of more than 130 hostages still held in Gaza. Speaking to reporters, Gallant, apparently seeking to cool U.S.-Israeli tensions, said he stressed the importance of U.S. ties to his country's security and of maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region, including its air capabilities. "We share 100% of the values and 99% of the interests with the United States," Gallant said. Biden has come under pressure from human right groups and some fellow Democrats to condition further military aid on Netanyahu holding off on a threatened offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering. The U.S. president has resisted doing so. FEARS OF FAMINE Israel has launched strikes and shelling in Gaza that have killed more than 32,000 Palestinians, according to the health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave. "We need immediate increases in assistance to avert famine," Austin said. A senior US defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said more aid was now flowing through land crossings and that about 200 trucks were crossing into Gaza daily. Gallant's meeting with Austin took place after Netanyahu on Monday canceled a separate visit to Washington by two senior aides due to hear US ideas about operational alternatives in Rafah. Netanyahu's fraught relations with Biden became even more strained over Washington's decision not to veto a UN Security Council resolution seeking an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The United States has been working to get Netanyahu to consider other options instead of a ground invasion of Rafah, the last relatively safe haven for Palestinian civilians. Austin said he was ready to discuss alternate approaches to targeting Hamas militants there. The senior defense official said Austin discussed potential steps like Israel's precision targeting of Hamas fighters in the southern city on Gaza's border with Egypt. The threat of such an offensive has increased differences between close allies the United States and Israel, and raised questions about whether the US might restrict military aid if Netanyahu defies Biden and presses ahead anyway. Gallant emphasised that while he had discussed humanitarian aid, he had also made clear Israel's plan to go ahead with efforts to destroy Hamas, saying it was necessary to deter "common enemies," an apparent reference to Iran. Hamas, he said, still has five battalions operating in Rafah. Austin said the security bond between Israel and the United States was "unshakeable". "The United States is Israel's closest friend and that won't change," he added

Protecting Palestinians a moral imperative, Pentagon chief tells Israeli Defence Minister Gallant

Israel's military carried out new airstrikes in Gaza and laid siege to two hospitals on Monday, despite what the United Nations chief called a growing international consensus to tell Israel a ceasefire is needed.

Israel War: Despite ceasefire calls, Israel strike Rafah in southern Gaza

The United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Israel's longtime ally US abstained from voting. Experts say that this highlights the all-time low ties between the two, Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Watch to know more!

Israel war: Netanyahu cancels delegation visit to US after UN Gaza vote

It's safe to say that the rift is widening between Israel and the United States after the five-month-long Israel-Hamas War. Israel has had near-full White House support to its goals of destroying Hamas and recovering the hostages but now Israel's closest ally the US is suggesting that the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to manufacture a crisis in Israel.

Biden's stance over Gaza war changed?

White House: Netanyahu stirring crisis in US-Israel ties

Israel war: US  'disappointed' after Israel cancels visit to Washington

Relations between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sank to a wartime low on Monday with the US allowing passage of a Gaza ceasefire resolution at the United Nations and drawing a sharp rebuke from the Israeli leader.

Israel war: Biden, Netanyahu on collision course after Gaza UN vote

As the UN Security Council demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and concerns grow that famine may take hold, the territory's hungry civilians are foraging for a wild green plant called Khobiza for lack of anything else to eat.

Gaza's hungry civilians forced to eat wild plant with no aid relief in sight

Israel war: UN Security council votes to demand immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Will a controversial bill proposing the extension of military service exemption for Israel's ultra-orthodox Jews lead to the fall of Netanyahu? Here's a report.

Haredi Bill: Will Netanyahu fall because of Israel's ultras?

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is heading to Washington on Sunday, at a time of increasingly strained relations with his country’s main military backer and ally, as Israel continues to defy U.S. calls to reduce the suffering in Gaza.

Israel's defense chief heads to US for Gaza discussions

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is heading to Washington at a time of increasingly strained relations with his country’s main military backer and ally, as Israel continues to defy U.S. calls to reduce the suffering in Gaza.

Gallant to meet counterpart Llyod Austin

Israel's defence minister leave for U.S.

Israeli forces took control of two more hospitals in Gaza on Sunday, amid claims that healthcare facilities in the besieged territory are used by Hamas operatives. Watch in for more details!

Israel War: IDF raids two hospitals in Gaza demands full evacuation

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant leaves for high-level talks in Washington

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant departs for 'important' trip to US

With no breakthrough in truce talks, Israeli Defence Forces struck the Al Shifa hospital on Saturday. They claim to have shot down over 170 gunmen. On the other hand, the Palestinian Health office says that at least five patients were also killed in the attacks.

Israel war: IDF claims killing over 150 Hamas militants

The Israeli offensive around Gaza's main hospital intensified on Saturday (Mar 23) in which Israel claims to have killed more than 170 gunmen and according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, five patients lost their lives.

The armed wing of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad stated that their fighters were gripped in battles with the Israeli military troops around the Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

Israeli military personnel launched its attack on Al Shifa in the early hours of Monday morning and have been inspecting its complex, which, as per the troops, is connected to a tunnel network that the Palestinian militant group Hamas and other Palestinian fighters use as a base.

The Gaza Health Ministry said that the five injured Palestinians "besieged" inside Al Shifa lost their lives because they were denied proper care, water and food for the past six days.

It further added that the health condition of other wounded patients was also deteriorating.

<h2>Hamas denies armed presence</h2>

Hamas has denied any military presence in the area claiming that the ones announced dead by Israeli troops were not fighters but patients and displaced people.

Hamas media stated that elsewhere in Gaza City on Saturday seven Palestinians were killed and several others were injured at the Kuwait roundabout at the time they were waiting for aid trucks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-war-online-spat-erupts-between-uk-and-israel-as-eu-us-pile-pressure-for-ceasefire-702871">Also read:&nbsp;Gaza war: Online spat erupts between UK and Israel as EU, US pile pressure for ceasefire</a>

"We survived death, they shot at us, there are many martyrs, there are many injured, we almost died to get our children a bite to eat," said Alaa al-Khoudary, a resident of Gaza City who had just returned from Kuwait roundabout carrying a bag of aid.

<h2>China and Russia veto US-proposed UN Gaza 'ceasefire' resolution</h2>

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council's recent session witnessed the rejection of a resolution spearheaded by the United States, advocating for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.&nbsp;

The resolution, proposed amid escalating tensions in the region, aimed to secure a six-week ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery and ensure the protection of civilians caught in the conflict.&nbsp;

However, the measure faced significant opposition from two permanent members of the Security Council: Russia and China, who exercised their veto power to block its passage.

The US-led resolution backed support from 11 out of the 15 Security Council members, showing a broad consensus among the international community regarding the urgency of ending the violence in Gaza.

Despite this overwhelming support, the resolution was thwarted by the vetoes of Russia and China, leading to a deadlock in the Security Council's efforts to address the crisis.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Israeli offensive around Gaza's main hospital intensified on Saturday (Mar 23) in which Israel claims to have killed more than 170 gunmen and according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, five patients lost their lives.

The Israeli offensive around Gaza's main hospital intensified on Saturday (Mar 23) in which Israel claims to have killed more than 170 gunmen and according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, five patients lost their lives. The armed wing of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad stated that their fighters were gripped in battles with the Israeli military troops around the Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Israeli military personnel launched its attack on Al Shifa in the early hours of Monday morning and have been inspecting its complex, which, as per the troops, is connected to a tunnel network that the Palestinian militant group Hamas and other Palestinian fighters use as a base. The Gaza Health Ministry said that the five injured Palestinians "besieged" inside Al Shifa lost their lives because they were denied proper care, water and food for the past six days. It further added that the health condition of other wounded patients was also deteriorating. Hamas denies armed presence Hamas has denied any military presence in the area claiming that the ones announced dead by Israeli troops were not fighters but patients and displaced people. Hamas media stated that elsewhere in Gaza City on Saturday seven Palestinians were killed and several others were injured at the Kuwait roundabout at the time they were waiting for aid trucks. Also read: Gaza war: Online spat erupts between UK and Israel as EU, US pile pressure for ceasefire "We survived death, they shot at us, there are many martyrs, there are many injured, we almost died to get our children a bite to eat," said Alaa al-Khoudary, a resident of Gaza City who had just returned from Kuwait roundabout carrying a bag of aid. China and Russia veto US-proposed UN Gaza 'ceasefire' resolution Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council's recent session witnessed the rejection of a resolution spearheaded by the United States, advocating for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution, proposed amid escalating tensions in the region, aimed to secure a six-week ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery and ensure the protection of civilians caught in the conflict. However, the measure faced significant opposition from two permanent members of the Security Council: Russia and China, who exercised their veto power to block its passage. The US-led resolution backed support from 11 out of the 15 Security Council members, showing a broad consensus among the international community regarding the urgency of ending the violence in Gaza. Despite this overwhelming support, the resolution was thwarted by the vetoes of Russia and China, leading to a deadlock in the Security Council's efforts to address the crisis. (With inputs from agencies)

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