Israel Remains Committed To Ceasefire, US State Dept

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller has told reporters that Israel is "still committed to reaching a ceasefire," despite concerns conveyed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, "about recent civilian casualties in Gaza."

• Miller says Blinken, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, and Head of the Israeli National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, met on Monday to discuss the latest on ceasefire negotiations.
• Miller adds: "We believe the remaining issues between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire deal are issues that can be solved."
• Comes after Reuters reported on July 13: "Gaza ceasefire talks have been halted after three days of intense negotiations failed to produce a viable outcome, two Egyptian security sources said on Saturday, blaming Israel for lacking a genuine intent to reach agreement."
• On recent Israeli strikes, Miller says: "Israel has the right to target militants, but that does not justify attacks on civilians."
• Barak Ravid at Axios reports: "U.S. ambassador to Israel Jack Lew says in a briefing to the Jewish community in the U.S. that while it is not confirmed, there are indications that Israel managed to kill the commander of Hamas' military wing Mohammed Def."
• Ravid adds: "The Israeli security cabinet will convene tomorrow and discuss the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, an Israeli official says."