What we knowPresident Joe Biden said yesterday that he hopes there will be a cease-fire by next week, saying talks were "close but not done yet." His comments came as negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue in Qatar. However, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said his country would continue to fight in Gaza until all hostages are released. As Israel prepares for an assault on Gaza's southernmost city of Rafah, two Israeli officials told NBC News that civilians will be allowed to evacuate to other parts of the enclave but they will not be able to return to their homes in the north. The city is home to 1.4 million Palestinians.Strikes on Houthi rebel sites in Yemen targeted two underwater drones, an aerial drone and anti-ship missiles, U.S. Central Command said yesterday. It added that the Iran-backed rebel group was preparing to launch the weapons in the Red Sea, where it has been conducting strikes against commercial ships. More than 29,780 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. More than 70,000 have been injured, and thousands more are missing and presumed dead. Israeli military officials said at least 237 soldiers have been killed since the ground invasion of Gaza began.
