was in Cairo today speaking with Egyptian# officials talks that could renew a deal for a# cease-fire and hostage swap in Gaza.

In the meantime, Israeli operations in Gaza# continue.

The death toll among Palestinians,## according to the Hamas-led Health Ministry,## topped 20,000 people there since# those terr MAN: The Security Council has agreed to continue## negotiations today to allow for# additional time for diplomacy.

AMNA NAWAZ: For the third day in a row, the# U.N. Security Council delayed its vo bid for a humanitarian cease-fire,# with hopes of avoiding a U.S. veto.

Earlier, Secretary of State# Antony Blinken said the U.S.## was working to -- quote -- "resolve# outstanding issues in the AN TONY BLINKEN, U.S. Secretary of State: The# purpose of the resolution, as stated by the## countries that put it forward, is to facilitate# and help expand hu getting into Gaza.

And we fully support that.# In fact, the United States, from day one,## has, I would argue, done more than any other# country to make sure that that could happen.

AMNA NAWAZ: Advocates for a cease-fire# say time is running out for humanitarian## aid to reach the Palestinians who# need it most.

In a grim assessment,## UNICEF now estimates that each displaced# child in the Gaza Strip has access to just## 1.5 to two liters of water a day, far less than# what's needed as a bare minimum for survival.

SAMAR ABU LOULY, Displaced Gazan (through# translator): This is not life.

We already## lack electricity, water, gas,# food and drink.

We have nothing.

AMNA NAWAZ: Just north of the Egyptian border,## clusters of tents for the disp the backdrop to the crisis on the ground in# Rafah huge plumes of smoke.

An Israeli airstrike## here forced dozens of people to flee for their# lives, the youngest ferried away in ambulances.

In Khan Yunis, children cling to their# parents inside hospitals crowded with## the injured and outside overwhelmed with# bodies being prepared for burial.

Yesterday,## the IDF called the southern city the -- quote --# "new city of terror" and today released this video## from the north showing a spiral staircase leading# down to a massive network of underground tunnels.## They claimed it runs directly into the homes of# several Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar's.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted# that a cease-fire is not up for debate.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, Israeli Prime Minister# (through translator): We continue the war until## the end.

Those who t until we achieve all of the goals we have set, the# elimination of Hamas, the release of our hostages,## and the removal of the threat from Gaza.# We are attacking Hamas with infernal fire.

AMNA NAWAZ: Meanwhile, in the Red Sea,## Houthi leaders threatened to ABDEL-MALEK AL-HOUTHI, Houthi Leader (through# translator): We will not stand by idly if the## Americans are tempted to escalate further country or waging war against it.

Any American# targeting of our country will be targeted by us.

AMNA NAWAZ: The rebel group also warned countries# not to join the U.S. coalition aimed at countering## attacks on commercial vessels, as well# as stunting a wider regional conflict.

Back in Israel, months after October 7,# families of hostages held in Gaza still## wait in agony.

A pause could lead# to another round of hostage deals,## as videos released by Hamas this week sparked# hope their loved ones were at least still alive.