US presses Mideast leaders on cease-fire; Israel says Hamas still uses hospital

The conflict in Gaza continues as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo Thursday, March 21, for high-level discussions about the Israel-Hamas war. The talks, aimed at brokering a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, come amidst escalating violence in the region.

Blinken underscored the urgent necessity to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian civilians, revealing that the United States has proposed a resolution calling for an immediate six-week cease-fire to facilitate the release of hostages held by both sides.

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“We actually have a resolution that we put forward right now that’s before the United Nations Security Council that does call for an immediate cease-fire tied to the release of hostages,” Blinken said. “And we hope very much that countries will support that. I think that would send a strong message, a strong signal. But, of course, we stand with Israel and its right to defend itself, to make sure that October 7th never happens again. But at the same time, it’s imperative to the civilians who are in harm’s way and who are suffering so terribly, that we focus on them, that we make them a priority, protecting the civilians, getting them humanitarian assistance. And we’ve been leading the effort to do that.”

The situation in Gaza remains dire as Israel’s military offensive intensifies, particularly targeting the Al-Shifa hospital. Residents report ongoing attacks on the medical facility, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

According to the United Nations, food shortages in Gaza have reached famine levels, affecting over 2.3 million Palestinians. Officials from 36 countries and U.N. agencies convened in Cyprus to discuss expediting humanitarian aid deliveries to the enclave. However, aid shipments are facing logistical hurdles and are falling short of meeting the urgent needs of the region.

El-Sisi stressed the urgent need for a cease-fire to address the escalating humanitarian crisis and cautioned against further military actions in Rafah, which has become a safe zone for more than a million Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Israel continues its offensive, claiming to target Hamas militants hiding within Al-Shifa hospital.

A spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) asserted the presence of terrorist infrastructure within the hospital facility, stating that IDF troops have neutralized more than 140 Hamas fighters in the precise operation. The IDF also claims to have uncovered $11 million inside that terror infrastructure that the IDF said was earmarked for funding Hamas terror activities in the hospital.

Hamas refutes these claims, insisting that casualties at the hospital are civilians seeking refuge. The group accuses Israel of targeting innocent civilians and vows to continue its resistance.

Amidst the ongoing violence, Blinken remains engaged in diplomatic efforts. He reiterated the United States’ commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state during talks with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince.