At least 27 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza since dawn, according to medical sources.
Hospital officials reported that five of the victims were shot near an aid distribution point north of Rafah in southern Gaza.
Earlier, at least 15 people were killed when Israeli airstrikes targeted tents sheltering displaced residents in the al-Mawasi area, close to Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
The Israeli military has escalated its offensive against Gaza, with intense airstrikes and ground assaults reported across the region. The continuous bombardment has further exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in the enclave. Hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties, and aid distribution efforts are being severely disrupted by the violence.
As the situation worsens, US President Donald Trump said on Friday that it would probably be known within 24 hours how Hamas will respond to a proposed ceasefire deal with Israel in Gaza.
Trump stated earlier this week that Israel has agreed to the terms of a 60-day ceasefire and urged the Palestinian group Hamas to accept the deal promptly, warning that the situation could deteriorate further if the offer is rejected.
“We’ll probably know in 24 hours what Hamas decides,” Trump told reporters, without giving further details. The announcement comes ahead of Trump’s scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. The leaders are expected to discuss the truce proposal and ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.
In response, Hamas indicated on Wednesday that it was studying what US President Donald Trump called a “final” ceasefire proposal for Gaza, but emphasized that Israel must pull out of the enclave.
A statement from the Palestinian group said it was reviewing new ceasefire offers received from mediators Egypt and Qatar, but that it aimed to reach an agreement that would ensure an end to the war and an Israeli pullout from Gaza.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu made clear his stance, calling for the elimination of Hamas in his first public remarks since Trump’s announcement. “There will not be a Hamas. There will not be a ‘Hamastan’. We’re not going back to that. It’s over,” Netanyahu said during a meeting hosted by the Trans-Israel pipeline.
The conflicting statements from both sides highlight the deep divisions and long-standing positions, leaving little indication of whether a compromise agreement could be reached. The situation remains tense, with little sign of an imminent resolution.
The Israeli army has been engaged in a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023, which has claimed the lives of at least 57,012 Palestinians, including 134,592 children. More than 111,588 people have been injured, and over 14,222 are missing and presumed dead. The scale of the destruction and loss of life in Gaza has drawn widespread international condemnation.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.
The proposed ceasefire deal includes a pause in hostilities, the increase of humanitarian aid, and negotiations on the release of captives. However, the prospects for a lasting peace remain uncertain, as both sides continue to stand firm on their demands. The international community continues to call for an end to the violence, while efforts to broker a ceasefire remain ongoing.
The situation in Gaza remains fluid, with further casualties expected as the conflict intensifies. The international community watches closely as the ceasefire talks unfold, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing crisis.
