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Our top stories.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister,

defended his country's war in Gaza and his refusal to agree to a ceasefire in a defiant press conference.

It was his first public appearance since Israel recovered the bodies of six captives in Gaza over the weekend.

Mr Netanyahu asked the families for their forgiveness and said that Hamas would pay a heavy price.

On Monday a general strike began. Hamas would pay a heavy price.

On Monday, a general strike began as anger mounted over the government's inability to

secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Shopping malls, universities and government ministries stopped working.

Israel's allies criticized its operation in Gaza.

America's President, Joe Biden,

said that more could be done to secure a deal

to release hostages, according to Reuters.

Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lamy said that Israel could do more

to get humanitarian supplies to civilians in Gaza. The country will suspend 30 of its

350 arms export licenses

...