Escalating Tensions in Gaza: International Push for Ceasefire Amid Intensified Conflict

Israeli forces continue operations near southern Gaza, as international efforts aim to halt the ongoing conflict. Medics report casualties rising from recent strikes. Hamas remains skeptical of mediation talks, while preparations for a broader confrontation intensify. The Gaza war, in its 11th month, has seen significant fatalities and widespread displacement.

Israeli forces pressed on with operations near the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Monday, amid an international push for a deal to halt fighting in Gaza and prevent a slide into a wider regional conflict with Iran and its proxies.

Palestinian medics reported that Israeli military strikes on Khan Younis on Monday killed at least 18 people and wounded several. Meanwhile, more families and displaced persons streamed out of areas threatened by new evacuation orders instructing people to clear the area. Later, an Israeli airstrike killed five people in the Zeitoun suburb of Gaza City, and two others were killed in Rafah, near the border with Egypt, according to medics.

As fighting continued, Hamas reacted sceptically to the latest round of Egyptian and Qatari-brokered talks scheduled for Thursday, saying it had seen no sign of movement from the Israeli side. The group stated that mediators must force Israel to accept a ceasefire proposal based on ideas from U.S. President Joe Biden, which Hamas had accepted, rather than pursuing further rounds of negotiations or new proposals that would provide cover for continued aggression.