On Sunday, Israel maintained its bombing campaign in Gaza, even after President Donald Trump urged a halt to its military actions to facilitate .
Trump had previously directed Israel on Friday to cease its aerial bombardment of the region, following Hamas’s agreement to the general framework and to release all individuals taken captive during its assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
“Israel needs to halt its bombing of Gaza without delay, enabling us to safely and swiftly secure the release of the Hostages! At present, the situation is much too perilous for such an operation. We are already engaged in conversations to finalize the arrangements,” he posted on social media.
Nevertheless, local health officials reported that no fewer than 16 individuals perished throughout the Gaza Strip on Sunday, with four of them reportedly seeking humanitarian assistance when they were killed.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) also confirmed the death of its fifteenth team member in Gaza, who had sustained critical injuries during an Israeli attack on Thursday. Abed El Hameed Qaradaya, 43, was struck while MSF personnel were awaiting transport to a field hospital in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, according to the statement. The organization stated, “All personnel were visibly clad in MSF vests, clearly marking them as medical humanitarian aid workers,” noting that another team member, Omar Hayek, and several others were also injured.
A spokesperson for the Israeli government stated on Sunday that no formal ceasefire was active in Gaza, but rather a provisional suspension of specific bombing operations, as reported by Reuters.
This recent initiative by Trump marks the nearest point the two factions have reached towards a lasting ceasefire agreement since the conflict commenced.
The proposal mandates that Hamas free the remaining 48 captives—with only an estimated 20 still living—relinquish authority in Gaza, and demilitarize. Hamas acknowledged the first two conditions favorably but has yet to address the third.
Conversely, Israel would gradually pull its forces from Gaza in phases to verify Hamas’s adherence to the agreement. Subsequently, Gaza would be managed by a global alliance overseen by Trump himself and ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Upon the release of all captives, Israel would be obligated to free 250 individuals serving life sentences along with 1700 Gazans apprehended after October 7, 2023.
‘Complete obliteration’
Over the weekend, Trump seemed to be monitoring events intently, sharing images of anti-war protests within Israel and maps depicting proposed withdrawal routes.
“Following discussions, Israel has consented to the preliminary withdrawal boundary, which we have presented to, and shared with, Hamas. Once Hamas provides confirmation, the Ceasefire will take effect INSTANTLY, the Hostage and Prisoner Exchange will commence, and we will establish the groundwork for the subsequent phase of withdrawal, bringing us nearer to the conclusion of this 3,000-YEAR CATASTROPHE. We appreciate your consideration of this issue, and, STAY TUNED!” he published on Saturday.
During a Sunday interview with CNN, he cautioned that Hamas would encounter “total destruction” if it failed to uphold the agreement.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Sunday that the ongoing discussions represented “the nearest we’ve come to securing the release of all the captives,” but noted that additional talks would be necessary to sort out the practicalities of the subsequent stages.
“The outcome of these technical discussions regarding logistical arrangements will rapidly indicate whether Hamas is genuinely committed,” he informed NBC’s ‘Meet the Press.’
When questioned by ABC News on Sunday concerning Israel’s sustained bombing in Gaza, Rubio responded: “We must thoroughly examine the precise nature of those operations. But fundamentally, indeed, an exchange cannot proceed amidst active combat; it’s simply unfeasible.”
Concurrently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confronts internal pressure from two sides: families of the captives demanding an end to the conflict, and his far-right coalition allies advocating for its continuation.
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have issued threats to collapse Netanyahu’s administration should the conflict in Gaza conclude.
Israel and Hamas are presently getting ready for indirect talks in Egypt on Monday, potentially leading to the release of the captives as soon as the following week. Relatives of those still held were keenly awaiting the conclusion of an agreement.
“We must not permit such a monumental accord to be jeopardized once more,” Michel Ilouz, Guy Ilouz’s father, conveyed to the Associated Press.
Meanwhile, Palestinians within Gaza continued their search for security while negotiations advanced. Shadi Mansour recounted to Reuters that his 6-year-old son, Ameer, died in an Israeli aerial assault in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood on Saturday. “Was he part of the resistance? Was he a combatant? All targets for the Israeli army are children,” he stated to the news agency.
In recent weeks, Israel has intensified its military engagements in Gaza, extending both ground and aerial missions into Gaza City, which is the most densely inhabited part of the territory. is presently either under Israeli military governance or subject to evacuation directives, as per the United Nations. Apprehension is growing regarding the and its effects on the civilian population.
Israel initiated its incursion into Gaza after a Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of close to 1,200 individuals and the abduction of approximately 250 hostages. More than 67,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began,
Without independent oversight on the ground, the ministry serves as the main provider of casualty statistics, which are utilized by aid organizations, reporters, and global entities. Its numbers do not distinguish between non-combatants and fighters and cannot be independently corroborated by TIME. The Israeli military’s own casualty counts indicate .
The Israeli Defense Forces did not provide a response when asked for comment.
