Israel’s military chief has ordered an expansion of the Gaza ground offensive amid growing warnings of famine and international criticism over aid restrictions.
At least 31 people have died near a southern Gaza aid distribution site, with conflicting accounts from Palestinian officials, the Israeli military, and aid groups over what caused the bloodshed.
Hamas said on Saturday it had officially responded to a ceasefire plan put forward by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who represents President Donald Trump in Middle East diplomacy. The group said its reply includes a key demand: a complete end to the war.
Less than 24 hours after formally accepting a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza, Hamas now says it is still “reviewing” the plan, raising uncertainty over the implementation of a truce aimed at halting months of devastating conflict.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate telephone discussions on Thursday with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and senior members of Hamas’ political bureau, focusing on escalating humanitarian and security crises in Gaza and Syria.
French President Emmanuel Macron issued a strong warning Friday that France could toughen its stance on Israel, including the possible imposition of sanctions against Israeli settlers, if humanitarian aid to Gaza continues to be obstructed.
A breakthrough US plan for a Gaza ceasefire, involving a phased hostage-prisoner exchange and humanitarian aid, has gained traction as Hamas agrees to the proposal following Israel’s acceptance.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has informed families of hostages in Gaza that Israel has accepted a new ceasefire proposal put forward by US envoy Steve Witkoff, according to Israeli media reports.
U.S. aid group is opening a new distribution center in central Gaza as the humanitarian crisis worsens.
Gaza’s food production is collapsing, with more than 80% of farmland damaged and most green houses destroyed according to the FAO of the United Nations. Its new report says, nearly the entire population faces severe food insecurity, prompting urgent calls for humanitarian aid to prevent famine.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed private aid group, announced Monday that it has begun distributing food aid in Gaza, with more shipments expected to arrive on Tuesday.
The ICRC says two of its workers were killed in Khan Younis following an Israeli airstrike.
European and Arab lawmakers have met in Madrid to push for an end to the Gaza war and demand unrestricted humanitarian aid access.
Spain has brought together foreign ministers from the European Union and Arab nations in Madrid for urgent talks aimed at addressing the escalating conflict in Gaza and advancing diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly criticized UK’s Starmer, France’s Macron, and Canada’s Carney for urging a halt to Israel’s military action in Gaza, accusing them of siding with Hamas and undermining justice.
Israel has allowed limited humanitarian aid into Gaza for the first time since it imposed a near-total blockade in March, enabling some bakeries to resume bread production and delivering baby food and medical supplies to the war-torn enclave.
Israel has reportedly proposed a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of half of the remaining living Israeli hostages held by Hamas, according to a report Sunday by Israeli public broadcaster KAN.
Israel will begin allowing a limited amount of food into Gaza to prevent a hunger crisis, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Sunday. This comes just hours after Israel launched a new large-scale ground offensive in the territory.
A large-scale ground operation has commenced in northern and southern Gaza, with reports of rising casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure. Efforts for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid access continue amid growing international concern.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Riyadh on Tuesday highlights efforts to strengthen economic ties with Saudi Arabia amidst paused normalization talks with Israel due to the ongoing Gaza conflict.
A new U.S.-supported initiative to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza is expected to start operating shortly, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Friday, though specific details are yet to be made public.
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