Israel's military has revised the number of people believed to be held hostage in Gaza, increasing it from 155 to 199. This development comes in the wake of a recent incident in which Hamas gunmen infiltrated Israel, resulting in over 1,400 casualties. Over the past week, the conflict has escalated, with more than 2,700 people in Gaza losing their lives due to retaliatory strikes by Israel. The situation is further compounded by Israel's blockade on essential resources, including fuel, water, food, and medical supplies.

Efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza are underway, with the United Nations deeply engaged in negotiations to facilitate the entry of essential supplies. Despite earlier reports of a truce to allow people to leave Gaza and aid to enter via the Rafah crossing, both Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Hamas have denied the existence of such an agreement.

The situation in Gaza has prompted thousands of people to gather near the Rafah crossing with Egypt, hoping to leave Gaza as they anticipate an impending Israeli ground offensive. The region remains on high alert as tensions continue to mount.

In response to the escalating crisis, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has returned to Israel, and on Sunday, President Joe Biden called on Israel to exercise caution and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The international community is closely monitoring the situation in the region, as concerns over the loss of civilian lives and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persist. Efforts to de-escalate the conflict and provide essential aid to the people of Gaza remain paramount.