Amid escalating violence in Gaza, US President Donald Trump has called on Hamas to accept a proposed 60-day ceasefire, stating that Israel is prepared to finalize such an agreement. Trump’s remarks came as Israeli military operations intensified across the Palestinian territory, leading to significant casualties among civilians.
In a social media post, Trump revealed that his representatives had recently met with Israeli officials in advance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Washington. He expressed optimism, noting, “Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War.” Trump stated that representatives from Qatar and Egypt would present this final proposal to Hamas, emphasizing the urgency of the situation for the stability of the Middle East.
As the conflict continues, the Israeli military reported that airstrikes and ground operations aimed at dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities led to the deaths of at least 26 individuals on Tuesday. The military claimed to have expanded its operations throughout various regions of the Gaza Strip, asserting it has eliminated numerous insurgents and destroyed extensive terror infrastructure.
Reports from Gaza depict a dire humanitarian situation, with local residents describing intensified airstrikes and artillery shelling. One resident, Raafat Halles, expressed concern over the relationship between proposed ceasefire negotiations and the increased violence, stating, “I believe that every time negotiations… are mentioned, the army escalates crimes and massacres on the ground.”
Visuals captured by AFP photographers showed tanks near the Gaza border and families sifting through the ruins of destroyed homes. Hospitals in Gaza, already strained, are on the brink of collapse, with the International Committee of the Red Cross warning that nearly all public medical facilities are either shut down or severely compromised due to a prolonged conflict and ongoing supply restrictions.
The civil defense service in Gaza reported that 16 individuals were killed near aid distribution points, exacerbating fears over the safety of civilians seeking assistance amidst rampant violence. In response to these tragic incidents, the Israeli military stated that actions taken by their forces were meant to distance suspicious individuals from troops, claiming ignorance of injuries, although they pledged to investigate the events further.
Amid these circumstances, a coalition of 169 aid organizations has called for an end to a new aid distribution scheme introduced with US and Israeli backing, claiming it has resulted in civilian fatalities. They are advocating for a return to a previously established UN-led framework for humanitarian assistance.
Netanyahu is set to meet with Trump and US security officials next week, amid growing international pressure to restore peace to Gaza and facilitate the release of remaining hostages. Trump indicated that Netanyahu shares the desire to conclude the conflict swiftly. Meanwhile, a Hamas official expressed a willingness to accept any proposal that leads to a permanent ceasefire and complete withdrawal of occupation forces, acknowledging no significant progress has been made towards peace thus far.
