"Kirby accuses Hamas of holding more women and children, blames them for breaking cease-fire"

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby blamed Hamas for ending the temporary cease-fire agreement with Israel, stating that Hamas refused to release additional women and children held as hostages. Kirby also defended U.S. military assistance to Israel, emphasizing the threat posed by Hamas. He acknowledged the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for reform and revitalization of the Palestinian Authority. Israel has ordered more evacuations and intensified its offensive in Gaza, while fears of a wider conflict intensified with attacks on a U.S. warship and multiple commercial ships in the Red Sea.