Evening Update: Netanyahu rules out Gaza ceasefire as Blinken presses for more aid, civilian protection

News Snapshot:

Good evening, let’s start with today’s top stories: The latest developments in the Israel-Hamas war Israeli troops tightened their encirclement of Gaza City on Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had ruled out a temporary ceasefire that doesn’t include a return of the nearly 240 people Hamas abducted during its attack on Oct. 7. United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Israel to ensure more humanitarian aid and do more to protect Palestinian civilians in Gaza, or else there will be “no partners for peace.” The focus of Israel’s campaign has been to crush the enclave’s...