The 500th airlift of U.S. military supplies to Israel since the conflict erupted has arrived, according to the Israeli Defense Ministry on Monday.

This averages to over one flight daily, alongside more than 100 sea shipments. These deliveries included armored vehicles, munitions, protective gear, and medical supplies deemed “essential” for the Israeli military amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that has lasted over 10 months, as stated by the ministry.

“More than 50,000 tons of military supplies have been sent to Israel during this operation,” the ministry confirmed.

The U.S. has additionally extended diplomatic and military intelligence assistance to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration. Efforts by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt to mediate a ceasefire have been unsuccessful in securing an agreement that could lead to the release of numerous hostages currently held by Hamas militants in Gaza.

According to two Egyptian security sources, neither Hamas nor Israel accepted the compromises proposed by mediators during discussions in Cairo on Sunday. However, a high-ranking U.S. official characterized the discussions as “constructive,” noting that both sides are striving for a “final and actionable agreement.”

Osama Hamdan, a Hamas official, refuted assertions that a deal was on the verge of completion, branding them as misleading efforts tied to political benefit as the U.S. elections approach.

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∎ The Gaza health ministry, run by Hamas, reports that over 40,435 Palestinians have died and 93,534 have been injured during Israel’s military actions against Hamas, which ensued after militants from Hamas invaded Israel, resulting in nearly 1,200 fatalities and over 200 hostages captured.

∎ The Israeli Defense Forces announced the destruction of a Hamas tunnel extending nearly eight football fields in central Gaza.

Israeli Minister Advocates for Jewish Prayer at Temple Mount

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sparked backlash after stating on Army Radio that Jews should not be forbidden from praying at Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, which is home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and regarded as one of Islam’s most sacred locations. Although there’s an informal agreement permitting Jewish visitors to the Temple Mount, prayers are typically limited to the Western Wall. Hamas officials claim that Israel’s strict controls over the mosque contributed to the circumstances of the October 7 attack.

The Palestinian Authority urged international allies to “pressure Israel to stop Ben Gvir’s actions, statements, and incitements.”

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel called for the removal of Ben Gvir from his position overseeing Israeli police, cautioning that his “reckless remarks jeopardize Israel’s strategic partnerships with Muslim nations” against Iran.

Hostage Families Disagree with Government on Remembrance of Attack

Tens of thousands of individuals in Israel are expected to participate in an alternative remembrance event for the first anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 attack, as reported by Israeli Channel 2. This event is being organized by victims of the attack and their families, who prefer not to partake in the government’s observance. Families of hostages have vocally criticized Netanyahu’s approach to securing their release, with some accusing the government of utilizing the official observance to evade accountability for its failure to prevent the assault and for inadequately addressing the needs of affected communities afterward.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev, who is overseeing the government’s event, faced additional criticism after he dismissed the families’ concerns as “background noise.”

Contributing: Reuters