Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the inaugural Joint Commanders' Conference (JCC) in Lucknow on Thursday, emphasising the need for jointness and integration among the three services for future challenges.
United States State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the Palestinian people, who are suffering the "terrible effects of this war," cannot afford to wait any longer.
The statement of world leaders came after the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that the bodies of six hostages abducted alive by Hamas on October 7 were recovered from a tunnel in southern Gaza's Rafah overnight, shortly after they were murdered by Hamas.
Speaking to reporters in Tel Aviv, Blinken stated, "In a very constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu today, he confirmed to me that Israel accepts the bridging proposal, that he supports it. It's now incumbent on Hamas to do the same."
Israel's Ministry of Health released the data on the rate of suicide in Israel, specifically in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas terror massacre and the ensuing Iron Swords War against Hamas in Gaza.
At the start of his meeting with Blinken, the Israeli President was cited by the Times of Israel as blaming Hamas for failure to reach a hostage deal stating that "people have to understand it starts with a refusal of Hamas to move forward."
During his visit, Blinken is set to meet Israeli leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as the White House indicates that a deal is ready to be closed.
During the past month, Israeli combat engineers have destroyed approximately 50 Hamas tunnel routes in the area of the Egypt-Gaza border, the Israel Defense Forces said on Thursday. The announcement came as Israeli and Arab leaders were due to resume ceasefire negotiations in Qatar.
The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken is set to embark on visit to Israel on Saturday, August 17, to push for efforts to conclude the agreement for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as the release of hostages from Gaza.