Credited from: LATIMES
Intensified Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City saw a grim spike in fatalities, with reports indicating at least 123 people dead within the last 24 hours, the highest daily toll in a week as the military prepares for a takeover of the region. Amid the bombardment, Hamas officials engaged in talks with Egyptian mediators to negotiate a potential ceasefire. Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ chief negotiator, emphasized that discussions would focus on ending the conflict and alleviating the acute suffering experienced by Gazans, as indicated by statements from Hamas's official Taher al-Nono, according to Dawn and Reuters.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that his government will allow Palestinians to exit Gaza, framing it as an opportunity amid plans for expanded military operations. In an interview, Netanyahu stated, “They’re not being pushed out, they’ll be allowed to exit,” referring to an earlier discussion initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump. This sentiment has drawn severe criticism as it echoes fears of a forced displacement akin to the historic "Nakba," where many Palestinians were displaced during the establishment of Israel in 1948, as highlighted by Los Angeles Times and HuffPost.
As conflict rages, humanitarian conditions worsen, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting over 235 deaths from starvation and malnutrition, intensifying calls for international humanitarian access. Despite claims from Israel regarding aid deliveries, the United Nations and Palestinian officials argue that the aid is significantly inadequate for the population's needs, affirming that humanitarian workers face numerous delays in delivering essential supplies, according to reports from Channel News Asia, Le Monde, and BBC.
The upcoming negotiations are seen as a chance to implement a potential comprehensive ceasefire, with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty indicating efforts to reach a 60-day truce while demanding measures to ensure humanitarian support, as stated by multiple sources including Reuters, South China Morning Post, and HuffPost.