The United States has urged Israel to end the high-intensity fighting in Gaza, as soon as possible. This comes as Israel continues to draw international outrage and rare criticism from the United States over the killing of civilians. Meanwhile, 12 Palestinians were killed following Israeli raids, which the IDF said helped capture dozens of terrorists. In recent years Israel has greatly expanded settlements in the West Bank, leaving less territory for a viable Palestinian state.

In the ongoing war, more than 18,400 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory. Israel says 113 of its soldiers have died in its ground offensive after Hamas raided southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages.

(With inputs from agencies)