GAZA – On the heels of an Israeli attack that reportedly killed 22 people, U.S. officials hope for a change that could short-circuit a planned invasion of Rafah.
RELATED: Ahead of visit to Israel, US’s Blinken presses Hamas to accept new proposal for Gaza cease-fire
Egypt proposed a ceasefire and the release of more hostages by Hamas. Palestinian prisoners would also be released.
“Hamas has before it a proposal that is extraordinarily generous on the part of Israel and in this moment the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas. They have to decide and they have to decide quickly,” Antony Blinken, Secretary of State said.
The State Department confirms it is considering whether to restrict assistance to an Israeli security unit.
It’s the one battalion among five the U.S. found have committed human rights violations -- that has not changed its ways.
All of the incidents occurred before October 7, 2023, and did not occur in Gaza.
There are plans to rebuild and help Palestinians recover -- and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund said it will be a global effort.
“Where we come into play is to support building institutions for an economy after the horror of war ends. Because I pray the sooner the better,” Kristalina Georgieva, IMF Managing Director said.
Critics want to know, is America giving Israel special treatment? The State Department pushed back in a terse exchange with reporters today.
“They are not being offered unique treatment. There is nothing that I have outlined here that is inconsistent with the Leahy process, that is when it comes to the countries that which we have security relationships with,” Vedant Patel, U.S. State Department Deputy spokesperson said.
Patel then said the relationship with some countries requires them to approach this differently.
“Ukraine being an example, Egypt being an example, Israel being another example, but there is not a special treatment. There is not a different standard,” Patel said.
The U.S. is banned from assisting any foreign security units if they commit human rights abuses.
Israel Defense Forces issued a statement in response to the attack.
It said fighter jets “struck terror targets where terrorists were operating within a civilian area in southern Gaza.”