Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas on the implementation of a potential Gaza ceasefire deal began in Egypt on Monday as the Israeli military continued to launch attacks in Gaza despite President Trump’s calls for a halt to the bombing.
Trump is urging for the negotiations to be quick, warning on Sunday that there would be “massive bloodshed” if a deal isn’t reached. Egyptian sources told Reuters that Hamas is seeking clarification on a few points of the potential plan and wants guarantees that Israel would go through with a withdrawal once they give up their leverage by releasing all the Israeli captives.
According to Egyptian media, the negotiations started with Hamas speaking to Arab mediators, who will then convey their message to the Israeli negotiators. The Israeli side is led by Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and Hamas is represented by Khalil al-Hayya, whom Israel recently attempted to assassinate in Qatar.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Monday that Israeli forces killed at least 19 Palestinians and wounded 96 over the previous 24-hour period. Israel has killed more than 100 Palestinians since President Trump called for an “immediate” stop to the bombing of Gaza.
Medical sources told Al Jazeera that at least 10 Palestinians have been killed so far on Monday, and the report said that Israeli artillery fire and airstrikes continued across the Strip. The IDF has framed its continued attacks as “defensive” operations, though children are among the victims.
One Israeli strike in Gaza City hit the vicinity of the al-Rum School in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, wounding several children. The IDF also killed at least three Palestinians attempting to get aid, according to the medical sources speaking to Al Jazeera. Middle East Eye reported Israeli shelling near an aid distribution site in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
The Health Ministry said that its violent death toll since October 7, 2023, has reached 67,160, and the number of wounded has climbed to 169,679. Studies have found that the ministry’s numbers are likely a significant undercount.
