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Our top stories.

Lloyd Austin, America's Defence Secretary, said he would not quote dictate timelines or terms for Israel's war in Gaza after a meeting

with the country's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials but

Mr Austin emphasized the need to, quote,

transition from higher intensity operations

to lower intensity operations.

His comments reflect growing international pressure on Israel to reduce civilian

casualties.

Earlier on Monday, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said that 19,453 people have been killed by Israeli attacks

since October 7th.

BP, a British oil company, said it will pause all shipments through the Red Sea.

After the Huthies, an Iran-backed militant group, stepped up attacks on the shipping lane.

Oil futures climbed following the announcement,

which comes after several shipping giants paused traffic along the route.

America and its allies reportedly planned to deploy a new maritime force to secure

the waterway, a vital artery for world trade.

...