U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that if Israel doesn't move quickly to improve conditions for Palestinian civilians in Gaza while it escalates its war against Hamas, the country would blow away a chance for peace. He stressed the need for Israel to end its military operations in the area, send more aid, and avert the possibility of Palestinians becoming more radical. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the call for a temporary pause without Hamas freeing Israeli hostages, stating Israel would continue full steam.

Blinken confirmed Israel's right and obligation to defend itself and its people but expressed regret over the recent video footage of the attacks by Hamas, in which a father is killed in front of his children. He also expressed concern that the fighting in Gaza could spread to other parts of the region as the Iranian-backed Hezbollah predicted more attacks along the border into Lebanon.

Blinken urged Israel, other countries, the US, and others to consider what will happen to Gaza after Hamas is defeated. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah spoke publicly for the first time since the war began, saying his group had entered with unprecedented cross-border fighting. He said that Hezbollah isn't giving its full support to the war but didn't say that in any way Israel couldn't obtain Gaza back.

Upon leaving Blinken's meeting, Netanyahu said that a cease-fire "does not include the return of our hostages". The U.S. is flying over Gaza MQ-9 drones in order to gain information for Israel and find the hostages. Families of hostages have put more pressure on the U.S. and Israeli governments to find and bring them home before Israel starts large-scale actions on the ground.