The Times of Israel is liveblogging Thursday’s events as they happen.

Hamas says it is discussing a US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal with other Palestinian groups, and it will submit its response to mediators once the talks conclude.

The statements comes after unverified reports by Hamas-links outlets claimed the terror group had given a “positive answer” to the latest proposal for a truce and hostage deal.

US President Donald Trump says Gazans have “been through hell,” dodging a reporter’s question about whether he still plans for the US to take over the Strip.

“I want the people of Gaza to be safe,” he answers. “They’ve been through hell.”

Speaking to journalists at Joint Base Andrews while on his way to a rally in Iowa, Trump also says Iran wants to speak to the US, and that he would meet with representatives of the country “if necessary.”

“Iran does want to speak, and I think they’d like to speak to me, and it’s time that they do,” Trump says.
“We’re not looking to hurt them. We’re looking to let them be a country again.”

After visiting Kibbutz Nir Oz near Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara also visited the nearby city of Ofakim earlier this evening, meeting with local victims of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, onslaught, as well as with soldiers who fought off terrorists that day, the premier’s office says.

The Netanyahus, accompanied by Ofakim Mayor Itzik Danino, Deputy Minister Almog Cohen and Likud MK Boaz Bismuth, meet local hero Rachel Edry, who calmly offered cookies to terrorists who invaded her Ofakim home on October 7, and her son Evyatar. They also light memorial candles and meet bereaved families.

“There were supreme acts of bravery here by men and women who showed up at the right moment,” Netanyahu says in remarks provided by his office. “I think the nation of Israel is showing immense mental strength, valor and bravery, and a great striving for life in the face of those seeking to destroy us. Our willpower is stronger than theirs, our fighting power is stronger than theirs. And in the end, this spiritual power of ours is defeating them.”

He says Israel will return “all our hostages” and “eliminate” Hamas.

A drone has been intercepted near Erbil airport, which houses US-led anti-jihadist coalition troops in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, Kurdish security forces say.

“At 21:58 an explosive-packed drone was downed near Erbil International Airport without causing casualties or damages,” says the........

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