"Israel-Hamas Conflict: Ceasefire Calls Ignored as Israeli Airstrikes Persist in Gaza"

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, which he described as a "graveyard for children." The UN chief condemned the violations of international humanitarian law by both Israel and Hamas and urged all parties to respect their obligations. The US acknowledged that the civilian death toll in Gaza is in the thousands, while Israeli airstrikes intensify and Hamas continues to launch rockets from Lebanon. The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza has partially reopened, allowing some people to leave, and internet and cell services have been restored in Gaza. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Turkey for talks amid anger over the Gaza conflict, and the UK has temporarily withdrawn some embassy staff from Lebanon due to the security situation. Jordan's air force has air-dropped urgent medical aid into Gaza, and Lebanon has reported that four civilians, including children, were killed in an Israeli strike.