Israel-Gaza war live updates: Blinken backs ‘humanitarian pause’ but no Israeli cease-fire; civilian travel stymied at Rafah

As U.S. and other world officials push for “humanitarian pauses” in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that there would be no “temporary cease-fire” until all hostages are returned. Hezbollah’s leader warned that all options were “on the table” in battles with Israel but did not announce an all-out escalation. Understand what’s behind the Israel-Gaza war.

Hostages: Israeli officials say Hamas militants abducted about 240 hostages in a highly organized attack. Four hostages have been released — two Americans and two Israelis — as families hold on to hope. One released Israeli hostage recounted the “spiderweb” of Gaza tunnels she was held in.

Humanitarian aid: The Palestine Red Crescent Society said it has received over 300 trucks with food, medicine and water to the Gaza Strip through Egypt’s Rafah crossing. However, the PRCS said, there hasn’t been permission yet to bring in fuel, which powers the enclave’s hospitals, water pumps, taxis and more.

Israeli-Palestinian conflict: The Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has a complicated history, and its rulers have long been at odds with the Palestinian Authority, the U.S.-backed government in the West Bank. Here is a timeline of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.