Israel has warned Hamas to agree to a new ceasefire plan or be completely destroyed. The warning came from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Friday, following the latest proposal from US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. The plan includes a 60-day pause in fighting in Gaza, and the release of hostages and prisoners on both sides.
According to the proposal, Hamas would release 10 living Israeli hostages and return 18 bodies. In exchange, Israel would release 1,236 Palestinian detainees and hand over the bodies of 180 Palestinians. The plan was reported by several media outlets and is being considered by Hamas and other Palestinian groups.
Israel said its military campaign in Gaza will continue until Hamas accepts the deal. The Israeli army has been attacking targets by land, air, and sea. These attacks are described as preparation for a possible larger ground invasion. The military said it hit dozens of sites in Gaza, targeting buildings, tunnels, and armed groups. Three Israeli soldiers were slightly injured during the operations.
Since the start of the conflict in October 2023, Hamas has taken 251 hostages. The Israeli military believes 57 remain in Gaza, and 34 of them are likely dead. Efforts to rescue or recover them are ongoing.
Hamas said it is still reviewing the ceasefire plan. The group is holding discussions with other Palestinian factions to decide on a final response. The goal, they say, is to make sure the proposal protects Palestinian interests. There is no clear timeline for when a decision will be made.
On the ground in Gaza, the situation remains deadly. On Friday, an Israeli airstrike hit a tent camp for displaced people in Khan Younis in the southern part of the Strip. At least 14 people were killed, including women and children, according to local sources. The wounded were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The Israeli army confirmed continued strikes across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours. It said it targeted armed fighters, weapons storage sites, tunnels, and observation posts. The ongoing military actions are part of Israel’s wider goal to weaken Hamas and remove its ability to carry out attacks.
Tensions are also growing in the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces arrested 80 people across the region over the past week. The army said it also seized seven weapons and around 7 million shekels, which they claimed were funds for terrorist activities. The arrests come amid rising protests and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli troops.
Meanwhile, a planned diplomatic visit to Ramallah by foreign ministers from Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates has been blocked by Israel. The ministers were scheduled to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Israeli officials said the visit was meant to promote talks about a Palestinian state and accused the Palestinian Authority of failing to condemn the October 7 attack.
As international pressure grows, many are urging both sides to agree to the ceasefire plan. A successful deal could lead to a pause in the fighting and much-needed aid for people in Gaza. Supplies of food, water, and medicine are running low, and thousands of civilians have been displaced by the war.
The coming days will be critical. If Hamas rejects the deal, Israel may launch a larger ground invasion. If Hamas accepts it, a temporary peace may be possible, giving both sides time to consider long-term solutions.
