*) Blinken to press Israel for 'immediate' truce in Gaza war

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to Israel to press for a truce in Gaza, ahead of a key UN Security Council vote on a US draft resolution calling for an "immediate" ceasefire.

Israel's main backer the United States announced it would submit for a vote on Friday a draft to the Security Council on the need for an "immediate ceasefire as part of a hostage deal", after repeatedly using its veto power to block other similarly worded resolutions.

*) UK, Australia call for ‘immediate cessation of fighting’ in Gaza

Britain and Australia declared the need for an "immediate cessation of fighting" in Gaza, as diplomatic pressure built on Israel to ditch a planned ground assault on the southern city of Rafah.

After a meeting of Australian and UK foreign and defence ministers in Adelaide, Australia the allies stressed the "urgency of an immediate cessation of fighting in Gaza to allow aid to flow and hostages to be released".

*) Trump faces backlash from US Jews over his remarks about Jewish voters

Several members of the US Jewish community have expressed criticism towards former President Donald Trump following his recent comments, where he accused Jewish Democrats of being disloyal to their faith.

Jonathan Sarna, an American Jewish history professor, highlighted that Trump's remarks are exacerbating tensions within the Jewish community.

Sarna noted, "For people who hate Donald Trump in the Jewish community, certainly this statement will reinforce their sense that they don’t want to have anything to do with him."

*) Russian missile strikes damage power supply in Ukraine's Kharkiv

About 15 blasts were heard in Ukraine's Kharkiv, mayor Ihor Terekhov said, and Russian missile strikes appeared to be targeting the city's power supplies, causing partial blackouts.

Terekhov did not report any casualties. He said some of the city's water pumps had stopped because of the attacks.

In central Ukraine, Kryvyi Rih mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said blasts were heard in the city, but provided no details.

And finally…

*) Oil prices decline amid potential Gaza ceasefire, dollar strength

Oil prices slipped on the possibility of a nearing Gaza ceasefire that could ease geopolitical concerns in the Middle East, while a stronger dollar and faltering US gasoline demand also weighed on prices.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he believed talks in Qatar could reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Brent crude futures fell by 0.5 percent to $85.36 a barrel, while US crude futures dropped 0.5 percent to $80.67/barrel.

Both contracts are set to end the week little changed after rising more than 3 percent last week.