Israeli airstrikes and tank attacks targeted various areas in the Gaza Strip overnight and into Sunday, resulting in the destruction of multiple residential buildings, according to witnesses. Palestinians in the region were hopeful that a U.S.-proposed initiative to end the conflict would alleviate their plight.
President Donald Trump, advocating for a halt to the bombings, announced on his Truth Social platform that Israel had agreed to an “initial withdrawal line” within Gaza. He stated that once Hamas confirmed the agreement, an immediate ceasefire would be implemented.
Despite the ceasefire talks, Israel continued its military operations in Gaza. Meanwhile, Palestinian health authorities reported that at least 16 individuals were killed in Gaza on Sunday, with casualties including civilians seeking aid and victims of an airstrike in Gaza City.
Following the destruction caused by an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza City suburb of Tuffah, Shadi Mansour, who lost his son in the attack, criticized the targeting of civilians by the Israeli military.
As discussions unfolded in Egypt involving Hamas, Israel, the U.S., and Qatar to address the conflict, tensions remained high with accusations traded between the Israeli military and Hamas regarding the use of human shields and indiscriminate bombings.
With conflicting views among Israeli officials on the ceasefire proposal, domestic pressures mounted on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war, while hardliners within the coalition opposed any let-up in the military campaign in Gaza.
As the situation unfolded, the potential release of Israeli hostages under the U.S. plan faced logistical challenges, especially concerning the retrieval of deceased hostages amid the devastation in Gaza. The prospects for peace and the implementation of the ceasefire plan remained uncertain, with both sides needing to navigate complex negotiations.
The conflict, which began with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in 2023, has led to significant casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza, intensifying the humanitarian crisis in the region.