Public Diplomacy Spokesperson: "More work to be done" before moving to less intensive fighting in Gaza

Meanwhile the leader of the Christian Lebanese Forces party said that while he has much criticism for Hezbollah, he will be on Lebanon's side in the event of an all out war.

The two men running the war are increasingly at loggerheads over the details of the proposed Hamas deal.

The IDF also eliminated dozens of terrorists in Rafah and destroyed a number of booby-trapped buildings in the area.

The Air Force struck some 50 targets throughout the Gaza Strip, including booby-trapped structures, terrorist squads, and launch sites.

A new poll conducted for Maariv by Menachem Lazar shows Avigdor Liberman's party edging out Yair Lapid 14-13.

IDF soldier from Ness Ziona was killed earlier today in the neighbourhood of Shejaiya in Gaza. He was killed while fighting Hamas gunmen with another soldier injured in the same incident.

A suspicious package found in Nablus in the West Bank was taken to a local police station where it detonated, injuring multiple officers in the incident earlier today, channel 14 reports. 

In a brief phone conversation, the Prime Minister congratulated the President on America's Independence Day and discussed the hostage negotiations.

38-year-old Major Galea served as Deputy Company Commander in the 8679th Unit.

Former Defense Minister and current Israel Beytenu party leader Avigdor Liberman said that "the main effort needs to be directed at defeating Iran."

Targets included the Qanatra, Rab al-Thalathine, Deir Seryan, and Tallouseh areas.

The decision comes following a reportedly softened Hamas proposal which did not insist on a full IDF withdrawal during Stage 1 of the Biden proposal.