Israel-Hamas war rages as outcry grows over Gaza crisis

     

    US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Iraq Sunday as part of a whirlwind Middle East diplomacy trip. Over the past three days, he met with Israeli officials in Tel Aviv, discussed settler violence in the West Bank, and met with key Middle Eastern leaders about growing calls for a Gaza ceasefire. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies have lost contact with aid workers in Gaza, as the Palestinian enclave faces its third communications blackout of the conflict, according to operators. On the ground, the Israeli military said it was carrying out a significant strike on Gaza Sunday evening, after its forces reached the enclave's coast earlier in the day. Israel said it opened a four-hour evacuation window for civilians Sunday as it focuses its offensive on Gaza City and the northern strip. Officials say the flight of displaced residents to southern Gaza has deepened the humanitarian crisis there.