U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Friday to discuss the protection of civilians in the conflict with Hamas. At the same time, tensions increased along Israel’s border with Lebanon, as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah gave his first public speech since Hamas attacked Israel last month. Nasrallah stated that his militia remains undeterred by U.S. warnings to stay out of the war, but did not declare full engagement. Meanwhile, Palestinians with foreign passports and injured individuals have been leaving the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing with the help of the U.S., Egypt, Israel, and Qatar. However, aid workers are expressing concerns about the lack of sufficient food, medicine, and fuel reaching Gaza. The death toll in the conflict has risen to 9,227 Palestinians in Gaza and over 140 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, while more than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed. In the latest developments, Israeli ground troops are engaging in targeted attacks on militant cells in Gaza City, with footage showing tanks advancing through grassland towards bombed-out buildings. Additionally, mental health care has become a top priority in Israel following the October 7 attack by Hamas, according to Dr. Hans Kluge, head of WHO Europe. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has rejected a cease-fire until Hamas releases the hostages, and Antony Blinken has urged Israel to increase efforts in protecting Gaza civilians and providing aid. Hezbollah leader Nasrallah has threatened further escalation of border fighting with Israel, while the U.S. is utilizing drones to locate the hostages taken by Hamas. Lastly, the UN human rights office has issued a warning about the alarming and urgent situation in the West Bank.