Live Updates: Blinken tells Gallant alternatives exist to Rafah invasion

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

05:53 GMT — Blinken tells Gallant alternatives exist to Rafah invasion

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has underscored in a meeting with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant that alternatives exist to a ground invasion of Rafah that would both better ensure Israel's security and protect Palestinian civilians, the State Department said.

Earlier, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that "We believe this type of full-scale invasion would be a mistake, not just because of the civilian harm that it would cost which would be immense."

He added there are currently around 1.4 million people in Rafah and Israel has not presented a coherent evacuation plan.

05:14 GMT — Hamas ready for permanent ceasefire in Gaza

Palestinian resistance group Hamas has said it has informed mediators that it will stick to its original proposal on reaching a comprehensive ceasefire, which includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a return of displaced Palestinians.

It also demanded what it called "a real exchange of prisoners", referring to the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in exchange for Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.

Hamas presented a Gaza ceasefire proposal to mediators and the United States in mid-March that included the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for Palestinian prisoners, 100 of whom are serving life sentences, according to a proposal seen by Reuters news agency

4:00 GMT — Netanyahu 'upset' because US abstained from UN ceasefire resolution: senator

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "upset" following the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution on a ceasefire in Gaza, US Senator Bernie Sanders has said.

"Netanyahu is upset. He cancelled a delegation to DC because the U.S. abstained from a resolution calling for a ceasefire," Sanders said on X.

"But he's not so upset that he'll turn down $3.3B in taxpayer dollars to fund his immoral war. No more money for Netanyahu to starve Palestinian children," he added.

For our live updates from Monday, March 25, click here.