Escalation in Gaza as Israeli airstrikes intensify, ceasefire talks stagnate

Daily News Egypt

15 hours ago

Israel's war on Gaza entered its 647th day on Monday amid a significant escalation in airstrikes and artillery bombardments. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the ongoing assault has killed more than 58,386 Palestinians and injured over 139,077 since October 7, 2023.
Overnight, Israeli forces struck multiple areas of Khan Younis, including the destruction of tents sheltering displaced persons in the city's western sector and the leveling of homes in the Al-Katiba and Al-Bayouk neighborhoods. The ministry reported 120 deaths and 557 injuries in the past 24 hours alone, including five aid seekers. The total number of aid-seeking victims has now risen to 838 dead and more than 5,575 injured.
Meanwhile, Palestinian resistance factions have intensified their attacks on Israeli forces. Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, reported targeting an Israeli armored personnel carrier in northern Khan Younis with a guided missile. The Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for destroying a military vehicle, a Merkava 4 tank, and a bulldozer east of Gaza City. They also reported launching an armed ambush on an Israeli engineering unit, resulting in casualties and a helicopter evacuation.
Israeli media confirmed the deaths of three soldiers and the critical injury of another in eastern Gaza. There were also reports that Palestinian fighters attempted to capture an Israeli soldier during the clashes. Separately, several soldiers were reportedly killed in an anti-tank missile strike in Jabalia, northern Gaza.
Despite the intensifying violence, indirect ceasefire negotiations continue. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff expressed 'optimism' on Sunday about the potential for an agreement, saying he planned to meet with senior Qatari officials to discuss recent developments. Former President Donald Trump also voiced hope that a resolution could be reached within days.
However, skepticism remains. Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to discuss a potential prisoner exchange deal with Hamas. Both ministers reportedly demanded a firm commitment from Netanyahu to resume full-scale military operations following the first phase of any deal.
Hamas, for its part, accused Netanyahu of deliberately undermining the negotiations, dismissing the notion of an 'absolute victory' as a 'myth used to cover up a devastating political and battlefield defeat.' The group added that its fighters are engaged in a war of attrition, using surprise tactics that have disrupted the Israeli military's operations.
Israeli Channel 14 reported that the army's current mission is to 'completely destroy Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza' to eliminate Hamas fighters entrenched in tunnels before any ceasefire agreement is reached. Channel 12 added that Israel is expected to present new withdrawal maps, including plans to maintain control over the strategic Morag corridor.
On the humanitarian front, international agencies have warned of a rapidly worsening crisis. UNICEF reported that over 5,800 children were diagnosed with malnutrition in June alone. Meanwhile, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) noted a sharp rise in malnutrition cases at its Gaza clinics since March, attributing the surge to Israel's tightened blockade.