A possible pause in the fighting between Hamas and Israel remains fragile as violence intensifies around the Gaza Strip. The enclave endures a surge in bombardments, with Palestinian factions insisting that any talk of prisoner exchanges must wait until Israel halts what they describe as aggression. In response, Israel reported the deaths of three more soldiers, bringing the total fatalities among Israeli forces to 100 since the ground operation began. Attacks by Lebanese militias have escalated in northern Israel, prompting the evacuation of at least fourteen communities and the closure of several roads.
The Palestinian authority in control of Gaza stressed that there can be no discussions about prisoner exchanges until the aggression ends. Hamas, which has been at the center of intense negotiations for a potential deal to free hostages in exchange for prisoners, currently rejects a temporary ceasefire. A senior Hamas official quoted by Al Jazeera suggested that while some may advocate a brief pause of a week or two, the group insists on stopping the aggression completely.
In reflecting on the lessons of past confrontations, Hamas spokespeople warned that any hostage scenarios should not be treated as a trigger for renewed offensives. The political leadership, including Ismail Haniyeh who was set to participate in talks in Cairo, emphasized that Palestinian Islamic Jihad is also represented in the discussions due to its role as a major fighting faction in Gaza and its possession of captives.
“Disturbing information”
The fighting in Gaza has intensified as Israeli forces and Hamas collide across numerous neighborhoods. The Israeli Army reported the deaths of three soldiers, with the death toll in the ground operation rising. The men, aged 19, 20 and 21, were killed as Israeli units gained partial control over key districts of Gaza City, including the area around Rimal, which is seen as a core hub for the group’s political, administrative, and military network. The area of Shejaiya has also seen severe clashes and is noted for its heavy operation activity.
The broader humanitarian situation worsens as health facilities in the region struggle to continue functioning. The World Health Organization indicated that nine of 36 health centers remain partially operational, while the rest in the south continue to face disruption from ongoing bombardments. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that roughly 20 percent of southern Khan Younis remains under evacuation orders. The UN also confirmed that soldiers involved in the conflict carried out actions that have raised alarm within humanitarian circles. Reports describe how a group of unarmed Palestinian men were killed in Gaza City, with medical teams describing ambulance services as overwhelmed and hospitals pressed by the scale of casualties.
As the region bears the brunt of fighting, international diplomacy continues to stall over a formal ceasefire. United Nations Security Council members have held discussions that have stalled multiple times, with debates over timing and the scope of humanitarian aid. A draft text aimed at accelerating aid delivery to Gaza was discussed by council members, with some members expressing concern that Israel could be blocking lifesaving assistance. The Jordanian foreign minister noted that the draft would speed up relief efforts, while observers point to the broader toll of the conflict, including the staggering number of fatalities and missing persons in the two-and-a-half-month war.
Meanwhile, clashes along Israel’s northern frontier persisted as Hezbollah and Israeli forces exchanged fire, prompting further evacuations. The Upper Galilee region reported road closures around a dozen kibbutzim as authorities warned residents to take precautions. In the occupied West Bank, the Israeli Army continued night raids across multiple towns, resulting in numerous arrests amid ongoing tensions and daily incidents.