Diplomatic efforts to pause fighting gain steam as Israeli ground troops push toward Gaza City

Israel’s ground troops advanced toward Gaza City on Thursday, as the U.S. and Arab countries intensified diplomatic efforts to ease the siege of the Hamas-ruled enclave and bring about at least a brief stop to the fighting to help civilians. President Joe Biden suggested a humanitarian “pause” as hundreds of foreign passport holders and wounded Palestinians were allowed out of Gaza for the first time. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected back in the region on Friday. Arab countries, including those allied with the U.S. and at peace with Israel, have expressed mounting unease with the war. Jordan has recalled its ambassador. Israeli troops called in an airstrike as they battled Palestinian militants in northern Gaza overnight into Thursday.