Intense Israeli airstrikes and widespread gunfire have tragically claimed the lives of at least 57 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, according to health officials. These devastating events unfolded as Hamas continued to consider its official response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal, designed to bring an end to the nearly two-year-long conflict.
The intricate peace plan demands that Hamas release all 48 remaining hostages, approximately 20 of whom Israel believes are still alive. In exchange, Hamas would relinquish power and disarm, leading to the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and a cessation of hostilities. However, a critical point of contention is that the proposal, already accepted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, explicitly offers no pathway towards Palestinian statehood.
While the people of Palestine yearn for the war to conclude, many view this plan as heavily biased in Israel’s favor. A Hamas official, speaking to The Associated Press, indicated that certain elements of the proposal were simply unacceptable, though without providing specific details. Qatar and Egypt, both vital mediators in the conflict, have also suggested that the plan necessitates further negotiation on several key aspects.
Activists Challenge Blockade, Israel Intercepts Aid Flotilla
The humanitarian crisis deepened with at least 29 individuals killed by Israeli fire in southern Gaza, as reported by Nasser Hospital, which received the casualties. Among these, 14 lost their lives within an Israeli military corridor, a zone frequently affected by shootings during humanitarian aid distributions.
Meanwhile, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, located in central Gaza, confirmed receiving 16 bodies from various Israeli strikes. The international aid organization Doctors Without Borders shared the heartbreaking news that Omar Hayek, a 42-year-old occupational therapist, was killed while awaiting a bus in Deir al-Balah. The same strike also left four others severely wounded. Hayek, described as a man of profound kindness and professionalism, had recently fled Gaza City and marks the 14th staff member of the organization to die in Gaza since the war began.
In Gaza City, health officials at Shifa Hospital reported five fatalities and multiple injured individuals, highlighting the immense challenges their staff face in reaching the hospital amidst a major Israeli offensive to occupy the city. Several other hospitals have also confirmed an additional seven deaths from Israeli fire. The Israeli military has yet to comment on these specific incidents, reiterating its policy of targeting only militants and accusing Hamas of endangering civilians by operating in densely populated areas.
Adding to the tensions, Israel intercepted most of a flotilla comprising over 40 vessels, which was carrying a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid. The flotilla’s objective was to breach Israel’s 18-year blockade of Gaza. Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated that all activists on board, including prominent figures like Greta Thunberg and several European lawmakers, were safe and being transferred to Israel for deportation proceedings.
Elsewhere, in the occupied West Bank, Israeli military confirmed the killing of one Palestinian militant and the arrest of another following a car-ramming and shooting attack on an Israeli army checkpoint. No Israeli soldiers were reported injured in the incident.
Hamas Weighs Its Next Move
A high-ranking Hamas official, who chose to remain anonymous due to the ongoing sensitive negotiations, disclosed on Wednesday that certain clauses within the peace proposal, already endorsed by Trump and Netanyahu, are unacceptable and require significant revision. He affirmed that Hamas’s official response would only be issued after thorough consultations with other Palestinian factions, and that their concerns had already been relayed to mediators in Qatar and Egypt.
The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals. The majority of these hostages have since been released under previous ceasefire agreements. The proposed Trump plan also aims to ensure a continuous flow of humanitarian aid and promises extensive reconstruction efforts in Gaza, intending to place its more than 2 million residents under international governance.
Gaza’s Rising Human Cost
Israel’s relentless campaign in Gaza has tragically claimed the lives of over 66,200 Palestinians and left nearly 170,000 wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. While the ministry’s figures do not differentiate between civilians and militants, it reports that women and children constitute roughly half of the deceased. The UN and numerous independent experts consider the ministry’s data, which operates under the Hamas-run government, to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.
The past month has seen approximately 400,000 Palestinians flee the famine-stricken Gaza City due to a major Israeli offensive. On Thursday morning, plumes of smoke were observed rising from northern Gaza, as residents continued their desperate exodus southwards.
In a recent directive, Israel’s defense minister on Wednesday issued a stern warning, ordering all remaining Palestinians to evacuate Gaza City. He declared this as their “last opportunity,” cautioning that anyone who remained would be deemed a supporter of militants. Despite significant depletion of its military capabilities, Hamas continues to conduct sporadic attacks. On Wednesday, at least seven projectiles were launched from Gaza towards Israel, though all were either intercepted or landed in open areas, with no reported casualties, according to the Israeli military.