Israel-Gaza war live updates: Deadly strike hits Rafah as tens of thousands more seek refuge there

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant on Thursday discussed Israel’s efforts in Gaza and “preparations for the stabilization phase” that will come after “major combat operations,” a Pentagon readout said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this week that the war “isn’t close to finished.”

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said it is working to establish the first organized camp for displaced Palestinians in the southern city of Khan Younis, where Israeli forces have increased attacks in recent weeks. The camp will include 300 tents at first and eventually expand to 1,000, the group said on social media.

A U.S. warship shot down a Houthi drone and anti-ship ballistic missile in the southern Red Sea, thwarting the 22nd such attempted attack on commercial ships since Oct. 19, U.S. Central Command said. Iran-backed Houthi rebels say the attacks are retaliation for Israel’s actions in Gaza. Some cargo carriers have begun taking longer routes to avoid the dangerous waters.

At least 21,320 people have been killed in Gaza and 55,603 wounded since the war began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. About 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7.