US President Donald Trump. AFP
“MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!” Trump posted on social media early Sunday.
Two days earlier, he raised expectations for a breakthrough, saying a deal could be reached “within the next week” — even as Israeli strikes killed at least 60 Palestinians across Gaza that same day.
An eight-week ceasefire was brokered shortly after Trump took office earlier this year, but Israel resumed its attacks in March after attempting to impose new terms that excluded any path toward a permanent end to the war. More than 400 Palestinians were killed in the first days of renewed bombardment.
Since then, Israel’s genocidal assault has escalated, drawing increasing international condemnation for its widespread destruction and repeated strikes on civilian infrastructure and aid distribution sites.
Many Palestinians remain sceptical of renewed truce efforts, pointing to Israel’s repeated violations of past ceasefires and continued attacks on areas it has declared safe.
“Since the beginning of the war, they have been promising us something like this: release the hostages and we will stop the war,” said Abdel Hadi al-Hour. “They did not stop the war.”
Talks stall over Israel’s refusal to end the war
Ceasefire negotiations have repeatedly collapsed over Israel’s refusal to agree to a permanent end to the war.
Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi said Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was obstructing progress, pushing for a limited deal that would see only 10 captives released. Around 50 remain in Gaza, with fewer than half believed to be alive.
Hamas has said it is prepared to release all remaining captives in exchange for a full Israeli military withdrawal and a formal ceasefire. Israel has rejected the proposal, demanding Hamas surrender, disarm and go into exile — terms the group has refused.
Civilian toll rises under siege and bombardment
Gaza’s health ministry said on Sunday that Israeli forces had killed another 88 people in the past 24 hours, bringing the Palestinian death toll to at least 56,500. More than half of those killed are women and children, according to the ministry.
Nearly the entire population of Gaza has been displaced, many repeatedly. Vast areas have been flattened, and those who remain face severe shortages of food, water and medicine.
Israel has also imposed a full blockade, halting all food and humanitarian supplies for over two months. The siege, condemned by UN agencies and humanitarian groups, has pushed the population towards famine conditions.
Under international pressure, Israel later approved a limited and tightly controlled aid mechanism via the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by both Israel and the US.
The system relies on private US contractors and coordination with Israeli forces. Aid agencies say it has become a tool of control rather than relief, with repeated attacks on civilians gathering at distribution points.
According to a new UN assessment, fewer than half of Gaza’s hospitals remain even partially functional. More than 4,000 children are in urgent need of medical evacuation, most of whom have been unable to leave.
“We are exhausted, we are tired. We hope to God that the war will end,” said Mahmoud Wadi, a resident of Gaza City.
Israel issues new evacuation orders in northern Gaza
The Israeli military on Sunday issued new evacuation orders for large areas of northern Gaza, including parts of Gaza City and the densely populated Jabaliya refugee camp.
Military spokesperson Col Avichay Adraee announced the orders online, stating that operations would expand westward into central Gaza City. Civilians were told to move to al-Muwasi in the south — an area lacking shelter, services and safety, and which has been struck repeatedly by Israeli forces.
Israel says the relocations are necessary to enable military operations. But human rights groups have condemned the repeated evacuation orders as a form of forced displacement and ethnic cleansing, warning they may constitute war crimes under international law.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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