In a tragic turn of events, the Israeli military has admitted to mistakenly killing three Israeli hostages during its ground operation in the Gaza Strip. The army's chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, acknowledged that Israeli troops had found the hostages and wrongly identified them as a threat. The circumstances surrounding their presence in the area are still unclear, with speculations ranging from their escape from captors to being abandoned by them.

The incident took place in the Shijaiyah area of Gaza City, which has been a site of intense battles between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in recent days. Rear Adm. Hagari expressed the army's "deep sorrow" and confirmed that an investigation into the tragic deaths is underway.

While this heartbreaking incident unfolded, there were reports of ongoing discussions between the United States and Israel regarding a timetable for scaling back combat operations in the war against Hamas. These discussions come amidst a consensus that the overall fight against Hamas will likely continue for months.

As part of the discussions, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan held a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip after the war. According to a senior U.S. official, one potential scenario being considered is the return of Palestinian security forces to Gaza, which were driven out by Hamas during its takeover of the enclave in 2007. This marks the first time that Washington has offered details on its vision for security arrangements in Gaza.

The idea of reinstating Palestinian security forces in Gaza, however, is expected to face strong opposition from Israel, which has maintained a strong security presence in the region. Israel is steadfast in its stance that it will not allow the Abbas-led Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, to establish a foothold in Gaza.

During his visit to Israel, Sullivan discussed a timeline for winding down the combat phase of the war with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. While Gallant mentioned that it would take months to defeat Hamas, he did not clarify if this timeline referred to the ongoing heavy airstrikes and ground battles.

Sullivan emphasized that different phases of the operation will take place over the coming months, with a progression from high-intensity operations to more targeted operations. These discussions on timeline and strategy will continue during U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's upcoming visit to Israel.

The offensive, which was triggered by a deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, has resulted in significant destruction in northern Gaza and has forced 80% of the enclave's population of 2.3 million to flee their homes. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has escalated as displaced individuals seek shelter in overcrowded facilities mostly located in the southern area.

The Biden administration has expressed concerns over Israel's handling of civilian casualties and its plans for the future of Gaza. However, the U.S. continues to extend support to Israel through weapons shipments and diplomatic backing.

While enduring the Israeli onslaught, Hamas has maintained its attacks. On Friday, rockets were fired from Gaza towards central Israel, prompting sirens to sound in Jerusalem. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries. The resilience of Hamas raises questions about Israel's ability to defeat the militant group without causing widespread devastation.

Public support for the war remains strong in Israel, with many viewing it as necessary to prevent future attacks like the deadly assault launched by Palestinian militants on October 7. The Israeli government has highlighted that militants have fired thousands of rockets, causing considerable fear and disruption.

The death toll in Gaza has continued to rise, with the Health Ministry reporting that over 18,700 Palestinians have been killed during the air and ground assault over the past 10 weeks. Thousands more are feared to be deceased or missing under the rubble of destroyed buildings. Telecommunications services in Gaza remain disrupted, and Israeli airstrikes and tank shelling persist, claiming more lives.

In tragic news for the media community, Al Jazeera reported that one of its journalists, Palestinian cameraman Samer Abu Daqqa, was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza, while the network's chief correspondent, Wael Dahdouh, was wounded. This adds to the alarming number of journalists who have lost their lives in the conflict, underscoring the need for greater protection of media workers.

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Palestinian President Abbas to discuss immediate cease-fire efforts and increased aid for Gaza. Abbas emphasized that Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian state. The discussions also touched upon post-war scenarios, including the revitalization of the Palestinian Authority and steps towards Palestinian statehood.

The situation in the Gaza Strip remains dire, and the international community continues to monitor the developments closely, hoping for a lasting cease-fire and a path towards peace and stability in the region.