The United States and its Arab allies appear divided over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, as Washington, alongside Israel, resists pressure for an immediate ceasefire despite the rising death toll among Palestinian civilians.

In a rare display of a public split, Arab foreign ministers at a press conference pushed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to persuade Israel to agree to a ceasefire.

The top US diplomat, however, dismissed the idea, saying such a halt would only benefit Hamas and allow the Palestinian group to regroup and attack again.

Blinken is set on Sunday to resume his Middle East trip, his second to the region since Oct 7.

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