Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his commitment to eradicating Hamas as discussions for a potential ceasefire emerge amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This development comes after Hamas indicated it was reviewing new proposals mediated by Qatar and Egypt. Netanyahu’s statement follows a claim from former U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting Israel had consented to a 60-day truce in its military operations against Hamas.
With talks scheduled with Trump in Washington shortly, Netanyahu emphasized his intention to dismantle Hamas “down to their very foundation.” The Israeli military operations have intensified in recent weeks, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis faced by over two million residents in the Gaza Strip.
As of Wednesday, Israeli forces reportedly killed at least 47 people in various air strikes. Notably, Marwan Al-Sultan, the director of the Indonesian Hospital—an essential facility in northern Gaza—was among the casualties. Humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate, with many civilians caught in the crossfire.
Following Trump’s call on Hamas to accept a ceasefire, the group announced they were examining the latest proposals. Hamas expressed its aim to forge an agreement that would end the violence, ensure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and facilitate urgent humanitarian aid for the displaced population.
Highlighting Israel’s hostage crisis, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar acknowledged some positive trends amid mounting pressure to secure the return of hostages held by Hamas. Out of the 251 individuals taken during the October 2023 offensive, 49 are still confined in Gaza. The proposed 60-day truce reportedly includes terms under which Hamas would release half of the living Israeli captives in exchange for Israel freeing a number of Palestinian detainees.
The civilian toll from Israeli air strikes continues to rise. Reports indicate that five members of a single family were killed in an airstrike targeting a tent sheltering displaced individuals in the Al-Mawasi area, which had previously been designated a safe zone by Israeli authorities. Eyewitness accounts describe the scene of devastation, with families struggling to salvage remnants of their homes.
Other fatal incidents include Israeli fire near aid distribution sites in southern Gaza, which resulted in further casualties among those seeking food and assistance.
The Israeli military maintains that its operations are focused on dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities while adhering to international law. As part of this military strategy, a new evacuation order was issued for three neighborhoods in Gaza City, urging residents to move south as Israeli operations intensify.
As the conflict escalates, the aftermath of Hamas’s October 7 attack—which resulted in 1,219 Israeli deaths primarily among civilians—looms large. In retaliation, the ongoing Israeli military campaign has claimed at least 57,012 lives in Gaza, mostly civilians, a figure deemed credible by United Nations assessments. The situation remains dire, with dangerous implications for civilian safety amidst the turbulence of ongoing military actions and volatile negotiations for peace.
