The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has witnessed a significant escalation in violence, with Israeli forces killing at least 82 people across Gaza, including 39 in Gaza City alone. This development comes as US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a potential ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, stating that there’s “a good chance” an agreement could be reached this week. Trump is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House to discuss the ceasefire proposal.
Survivors of the Israeli strikes in Gaza City described the scenes as “apocalyptic,” with residents retrieving body parts of victims and scrambling to rescue those trapped under the rubble.
Mahmoud al-Sheikh Salama, a survivor of one strike, recounted the harrowing experience, saying, “We heard a loud explosion and shortly after, another one. We rushed over… and people were trapped under the rubble – four families, a large number of residents.” Hani Mahmoud reported that Israel’s current military escalation is “a chilling and brutal reminder” of the opening weeks of the war, with at least seven air strikes counted across the Gaza Strip within two hours.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has faced criticism for its role in distributing aid in Gaza, with reports of its contractors and Israeli forces opening fire on desperate aid seekers. At least nine Palestinians were killed near aid distribution centers operated by the GHF, with five killed near the Netzarim Corridor.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that Israeli forces have killed at least 743 Palestinians in attacks on GHF sites since late May. Two American contractors were wounded in a non-life-threatening attack on an aid site, which the US blamed on Hamas, while Gaza’s Government Media Office rejected these claims.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have resumed in Qatar, focusing on implementation mechanisms and hostage exchanges. Trump expressed confidence that a deal could be reached this week, saying, “I think we’re close to a deal on Gaza; we could have it this week.” Netanyahu also expressed optimism, believing that his discussions with Trump would help advance talks on a Gaza deal.
However, analysts remain skeptical, with Adnan Hayajneh, a professor of international relations at Qatar University, stating that “Israel and Netanyahu are not interested in reaching a ceasefire.” Hayajneh added that Israel’s goal is “a land without a people,” with Palestinians facing three choices: “starve to death… get killed… [or] leave the land.” Despite these challenges, Palestinians have shown resilience in the face of adversity.
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