Egypt presents new Gaza ceasefire proposal

Israeli airstrikes continued across the Gaza Strip on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 Palestinians, including women and children, according to three hospitals. This comes nearly a week after Israel abruptly ended its ceasefire with Hamas through a powerful aerial assault that reportedly killed hundreds.

In parallel, diplomatic efforts to reestablish a ceasefire are underway. Egypt has presented a new proposal that involves a temporary halt in hostilities and the exchange of captives. Under the terms of the suggested deal, Hamas would free five hostages—one of whom holds dual American-Israeli citizenship. In exchange, Israel would allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and pause its military campaign for several weeks. The agreement also includes the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

While an Egyptian official disclosed the framework, a Hamas representative confirmed the group had responded positively but did not elaborate. Both officials spoke anonymously, citing the sensitivity of the negotiations.

The humanitarian crisis in southern Gaza worsened as Israeli forces tightened their hold on parts of Rafah. Over the weekend, Israeli troops surrounded the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood and issued evacuation orders, directing civilians to relocate to makeshift tent settlements in Muwasi along the coast.

Thousands attempted to flee, but many remain trapped, according to Rafah’s municipal authorities. Among those unable to leave are emergency workers from the Palestinian Red Crescent and the Civil Defense, which operates under the Hamas-run administration in Gaza.

Israeli Defense Minister Addresses Civilian Toll

Defense Minister Israel Katz defended Israel’s military strategy, stating that the operation targets Hamas fighters and infrastructure—not civilians. He argued that Hamas deliberately operates from civilian areas, thus endangering non-combatants. Katz reiterated that Israel would not halt its campaign until Hamas releases all hostages and no longer poses a threat.

Three hospitals across Gaza confirmed receiving dozens of casualties from recent airstrikes. Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City reported taking in 11 bodies overnight, including several children, women, and entire families. In one instance, two children, their parents, grandmother, and uncle were all killed in a single strike.

Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis received a total of 11 bodies between Sunday and Monday, while the European Hospital nearby reported three more casualties from strikes in the area.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the death toll from the 17-month conflict has now exceeded 50,000, with women and children comprising more than half of the fatalities. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths. Israel, meanwhile, claims it has killed around 20,000 militants but has yet to provide supporting evidence.

Repeat Trauma in Gaza’s Hospitals

American trauma surgeon Feroze Sidhwa, working with the NGO MedGlobal, described the dire situation inside Nasser Hospital. He reported that many of the victims injured in a recent Israeli strike on the facility were already recovering from earlier wounds inflicted during previous air raids.

Sidhwa, who was present in the intensive care unit when the attack occurred, explained that some patients had already undergone surgeries and were in recovery when they were struck again. He noted with sorrow that a man and a boy he had operated on days earlier both died in the blast.