Israeli Attacks On Gaza Ahead Of Ceasefire Negotiations

Gaza/DOK UNFPA Condition

JAKARTA - Palestinians in northern Gaza reported one of the worst nights of Israeli bombings within weeks after the military issued a mass evacuation order on Monday.

While Israeli officials are scheduled to be in Washington for a new ceasefire initiated by the Trump administration.

A day after US President Donald Trump urged an end to the 20-month war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's confidant is expected to be at the White House to hold talks on a ceasefire in Gaza, Iran, and a possible wider regional diplomatic deal.

But in the Palestinian enclave there is no sign of fighting is coming to an end.

"The explosion never stopped; they bombed schools and homes. It felt like an earthquake," said Salah, 60, a father of five, from Gaza City.

"In the news, we hear the ceasefire is imminent, on the ground we see death and we hear explosions," he continued.

Israeli tanks moved forward to the eastern suburbs of Zeitoun in Gaza City and opened fire on several areas in the north, while planes bombed at least four schools after ordering hundreds of families sheltering in them to leave, residents said.

Reportedly 25 people were killed in an Israeli attack on Monday, health authorities said, including 10 people killed in Zeitoun.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which said Palestinian militants were hiding among civilians. The militant group denied this.

The massive bombings followed a new evacuation order to a large northern area, where Israeli forces operated earlier and left large-scale devastation.

The military ordered people there to head south, saying they were planning to fight Hamas militants operating in northern Gaza, including in the heart of Gaza City.

The day after Trump called for "Make a deal in Gaza, get back the hostages", Israeli strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer, Netanyahu's confidant, is expected to hold talks on Iran and Gaza at the White House, an Israeli official said.

In Israel, Netanyahu's security cabinet is expected to convene to discuss further steps in Gaza.

On Friday last week, Israel's military chief said ground operations are currently nearing their goals.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Netanyahu said new opportunities were open to saving the hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be still alive.

Palestinian and Egyptian sources familiar with the latest ceasefire efforts say Qatari and Egyptian mediators have stepped up contact with the two warring sides, but no date has yet been set for a new round of ceasefire negotiations.

A Hamas official said progress hinged on a change in Israeli position and an agreement to end the war and withdraw from Gaza.

Israel says it can end the war only if Hamas is stripped and dissolved.

Meanwhile, Hamas refused to put down his gun.

The war began when Hamas fighters stormed Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, most civilians, and carrying 251 hostages back to Gaza in a sudden attack that caused Israel's deadliest day.

Israel's next military strike killed more than 56,000 Palestinians, most of whom were civilians, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health.

This condition displaced almost all 2.3 million residents and plunged the area into a humanitarian crisis.

More than 80% of the region is now Israel's military zone or under evacuation orders, according to the United Nations (UN).