Palestinians in northern Gaza experienced one of the most intense nights of Israeli bombardment in weeks, even as Israeli officials prepared for high-level ceasefire discussions in Washington spearheaded by the Trump administration.
The escalation came just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged both sides to reach a ceasefire and secure the release of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. Despite diplomatic activity behind the scenes, the situation on the ground has shown no signs of de-escalation.
“Explosions never stopped; they bombed schools and homes. It felt like earthquakes,” said Salah, a 60-year-old father of five in Gaza City. “In the news we hear a ceasefire is near, on the ground we see death and we hear explosions.”
According to Gaza health officials, at least 25 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on Monday, including 10 in the eastern Zeitoun district of Gaza City, where Israeli tanks launched a renewed ground offensive. Warplanes also targeted four schools used as shelters, forcing hundreds of displaced families to flee amid the chaos.
There was no immediate response from the Israeli military, which has routinely claimed that Hamas fighters operate from civilian infrastructure. Militant groups have denied this assertion.
The latest wave of attacks followed fresh evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military, affecting large swathes of northern Gaza, including areas previously reduced to rubble by earlier operations. The IDF has said the orders are part of renewed efforts to root out Hamas operatives, particularly in central Gaza City.
Diplomatic Push in Washington
While Gaza endured another punishing night, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer — a close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — was expected at the White House on Monday. U.S. and Israeli officials confirmed that Dermer would hold talks focused on ceasefire prospects, Iran, and broader regional diplomacy.
Trump, speaking from the White House on Sunday, called on Israel and Hamas to “make the deal in Gaza” and secure the release of hostages. According to Israeli intelligence, approximately 20 hostages are believed to still be alive in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s security cabinet in Israel was also due to meet to assess next steps in the war. On Friday, Israel’s military chief said ground operations were nearing key objectives, and Netanyahu on Sunday suggested there were new openings in hostage negotiations.
However, Hamas officials warned that any real progress depends on Israel agreeing to end its military campaign and withdraw from the enclave — a demand Israeli leaders have so far rejected. Israel insists the war can only conclude once Hamas is dismantled and disarmed. The group has publicly refused to lay down its arms.
A Devastating Toll
The war, now in its 20th month, began with the unprecedented October 7, 2023, assault by Hamas fighters, who killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel — mostly civilians — and abducted 251 hostages in the deadliest single attack in Israel’s history.
Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has left more than 56,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The vast majority are civilians, with women and children making up a significant proportion of the casualties.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated drastically. Nearly the entire 2.3 million population has been displaced, and over 80% of the territory is now either an active military zone or subject to evacuation orders, according to the United Nations.
With ceasefire talks still in flux and international pressure mounting, both sides remain entrenched in their demands — leaving civilians once again caught in the middle of a conflict with no clear end in sight.
