Israel has launched significant strikes on Gaza after dividing the city in two, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken continues his Middle East tour focused on providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians. Israeli forces have encircled Gaza City, creating separate south and north regions, according to army spokesman Daniel Hagari. Prior to the strikes, internet and telephone lines were cut. The strikes are expected to continue in the coming days. Blinken met with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas during his visit to the occupied West Bank, where Abbas denounced what he called genocide in Gaza.

The Gaza health ministry reported that over 9,770 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the four weeks of war. Washington has backed Israel's goal of crushing Hamas and refused calls for a ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed not to cease the attacks until the hostages taken by Hamas are returned. The war has led to a spike in tensions in the West Bank, where clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians have resulted in over 150 deaths. Blinken and Abbas discussed the need to stop extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Israel has been intensively bombing Gaza, leading to the destruction of entire city blocks and the displacement of civilians. The health ministry reported that 45 people were killed in an Israeli bombing of the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, with reports of dead children and destroyed homes. Blinken faced growing criticism during his meetings with Arab foreign ministers in Jordan, where he reiterated US support for humanitarian pauses rather than a ceasefire. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called for an immediate and observed humanitarian truce to lead to a ceasefire in Gaza. International concern has grown over the suffering, with protests held worldwide in solidarity with Palestinians. Turkey has recalled its ambassador to Israel and cut off contact with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu due to the growing civilian death toll in Gaza.