According to hospital officials on Friday, Israeli airstrikes were responsible for the deaths of at least 14 individuals in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Hamas was in the process of evaluating a new ceasefire proposal endorsed by Israel, following an initial lukewarm response from the group.
This week, President Donald Trump’s envoy for the Middle East had conveyed optimism regarding the possibility of mediating an agreement that could bring an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The agreement aims to facilitate the entry of more aid into Gaza and secure the release of additional hostages. Currently, Hamas is holding 58 hostages, with approximately one-third of them confirmed to be alive.
With a blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza for almost three months, albeit with slight alleviation noted in recent days, experts warn that the approximately 2 million Palestinian residents are teetering on the edge of a severe food crisis, verging on famine.
Israel’s war in Gaza has killed around 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its tally. The war began with Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which left around 1,200 dead.
Here’s the latest:
At least 14 dead in Gaza strikes, medics say
Hospital officials and paramedics say Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have killed at least 14 people and wounded others.
Officials at Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza said the bodies of 12 people, including three women, were brought Friday from the nearby Jabaliya refugee camp.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said the bodies of two people as well as nine others who were wounded were taken to Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City. It said one of the wounded is a doctor who works at the same hospital.
Hamas reviewing a new ceasefire proposal
Hamas said Friday it was reviewing a new Israeli-approved ceasefire proposal.
The White House said Thursday that Israel accepted a new U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire with Hamas. Hamas officials, however, gave the draft a cool response, saying that it seeks to perpetuate Israel’s policies of killing and starving people in Gaza. Still, the group said it was going to thoroughly review it.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to end the war until all the hostages are released and Hamas is either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile.
Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages for a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.
Netanyahu undergoes a routine colonoscopy
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent a routine colonoscopy on Friday morning in Jerusalem, his office said.
The office did not provide further information about whether Netanyahu was moderately sedated or under general anesthesia for the procedure.
Netanyahu, 75, underwent successful surgery in December to have his prostate removed.
Netanyahu has gone to great lengths to bolster a public image of himself as a healthy, energetic leader, as he manages multiple crises including the war in Gaza and his trial for alleged corruption, despite a series of recent health setbacks.
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