Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza
US President Joe Biden's administration is facing mounting domestic and global pressure to try to moderate Israel's deadly response to the October 7 Hamas attacks, including by supporting a ceasefire.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to urge the Israeli government and military to agree to “humanitarian pauses” with Hamas while on his trip to Israel on Friday.
“What we're trying to do is explore the idea of as many pauses as might be necessary to continue to get aid out and to continue to work to get people out safely including hostages,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
The administration plans to request that time windows be agreed on between Israel and Hamas for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the release of hostages.
Israel has said as many as 240 people are being held hostage by militant groups in Gaza.
Despite a soaring civilian death toll in the enclave, the US has refused to back calls for a ceasefire, something many countries are demanding.
On Wednesday, Mr Biden was interrupted by an audience member at a 2024 campaign event, who shouted that the President should call for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza.
“I think we need a pause,” Mr Biden said in response. “A pause means give time to get the prisoners out.”
Hamas launched a deadly attack outside the Gaza Strip on October 7 that killed about 1,400 people, mostly civilians.
Four hostages have been released by Hamas in the weeks since and one has been rescued by the Israeli military.
Israel's response to the attack has killed more than 9,000 people in Gaza, according to local authorities. One Palestinian American described conditions there as “hell on Earth”.
Meanwhile, the second highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate, Dick Durbin, called for a ceasefire on Thursday.
When CNN asked him whether a ceasefire needed, he responded: “I think it is. At least, under the context of both sides agreeing.”
Mr Durbin said that a ceasefire should be contingent on the release of hostages.
“The release of those kidnapped should be part of this – immediate release – that should be the beginning of it,” he said.
“An effort should be made to engage in conversation between the Israelis and Palestinians.”
Mr Durbin is believed to be the first US senator to support a ceasefire, joining more than 20 members in the House of Representatives who already have.
If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Australia tour of Pakistan
March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi
March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi
March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore
March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi
March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi
April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi
RESULTS
6.30pm: Meydan Sprint Group 2 US$175,000 1,000m
Winner: Ertijaal, Jim Crowley (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap $60,000 1,400m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Handicap $160,000 1,400m
Winner: Raven’s Corner, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
8.15pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group 3 $200,000 2,000m
Winner: Folkswood, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile Group 2 $250,000 1,600m
Winner: Janoobi, Jim Crowley, Mike de Kock
9.25pm: Handicap $125,000 1,600m
Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound
Taken and This Is Us — cancer
Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)
Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg
Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety
Switched at Birth — deafness
One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
Dragons — double amputee
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
