US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said, “We believe that we are close to reaching a ceasefire agreement and that talks on it are continuing.”

Kirby added during a press conference on Friday that there must be a ceasefire until the detainees are restored and more aid is brought in, stressing that the talks on the detainees agreement are progressing.

He pointed out that 11 countries voted for a draft resolution related to Gaza in the Security Council. But Russia and China opposed the draft resolution.

Kirby stated that the Israeli occupation government will send a delegation within days to talk about alternatives to a ground operation in Rafah.

He explained that Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stressed again that launching a ground operation in Rafah would be a mistake.

He stressed that there is still time to talk with "Israel" about Rafah.

Kirby stressed that the United States wants to provide Tel Aviv with some alternatives and options to pursue Hamas without sacrificing the safety of civilians.

He pointed out that the White House has not yet seen any credible "Israeli" plan to transfer civilians from Rafah.

The aggression is on its 168th day

While the occupation forces continue their aggression against the stricken Gaza Strip for the 168th day in a row, the toll of the aggression reached 32,070 killed, in addition to the injury of 74,298 people since the seventh of last October.