The Israeli military has escalated its operations in the Gaza Strip, expanding ground incursions and intensifying airstrikes across both northern and southern areas, including an attack on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, local sources reported. The Gaza Ministry of Health confirmed on Monday that 61 people were killed in the past 24 hours, including four whose bodies were recovered, while 134 others were injured. This brings the death toll since 18 March to 730, with 1,367 wounded. The ministry further reported that the total death toll since the war began on October 7, 2023, has surpassed 50,000, with over 113,000 injured. Amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, Egyptian sources disclosed that officials in Cairo have been engaged in intensive talks with Israeli, American, and Hamas representatives to negotiate a ceasefire. According to the sources, Egypt has proposed a plan that includes the continued release of Palestinian detainees under U.S. guarantees. However, an Israeli security delegation left Cairo last Saturday without reaching an agreement, prompting Egyptian and Qatari mediators to inform Hamas that the negotiations had stalled for the time being. Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha stated that the group remains engaged with mediators and their proposals but emphasized that "Israel's systematic actions reflect a lack of respect for ceasefire efforts." On the regional front, Jordanian Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan expressed in a parliamentary session that "Israel's assault on innocent civilians in Gaza has gone beyond condemnation," urging for an international response to end the military operations and ensure the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, Gaza's residents continue to suffer from severe shortages of food, water, and healthcare. International aid organizations have warned of a worsening catastrophe in the besieged enclave.
