For the first time, Washington acknowledges the death toll from the Israeli war on Gaza. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Thursday that Israel has killed more than 25,000 women and children since October 7, adding that Israel can and must do more to protect the Palestinian territories. Civilians.

"25 ​​thousand women and children killed"

During a congressional hearing, Austin was asked about the number of Palestinian women and children killed by Israel, and he replied, “More than 25,000.”

Austin added that about 21,000 precision-guided munitions have been sent to Israel since the beginning of its war on Gaza.

The toll reported by Austin is close to this toll and comes as Washington is pushing towards reaching a ceasefire and reducing the number of civilian deaths in Gaza.

Biden rules out a ceasefire on Monday

In addition, US President Joe Biden ruled out a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas by Monday, the date he had expected earlier this week.

In response to journalists’ questions on Thursday about his expectations about what will happen, Biden said that “hope is inexhaustible,” and that he spoke to the leaders of the region about a ceasefire, adding, “but it will most likely not happen by Monday.”

"Two conflicting narratives"

Biden confirmed Thursday that the United States is verifying “two conflicting stories” about a shooting that occurred at an aid distribution point in Gaza, adding that what happened would complicate ceasefire negotiations.