15 Killed in Israeli Strike as Ceasefire Talks Gain Momentum in Gaza

Gaza witnessed renewed bloodshed on Friday as Israeli airstrikes killed at least 15 Palestinians in a displacement camp in Khan Younis, according to local health authorities. The attack, part of ongoing Israeli military operations, comes amid fresh international efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Over the past 24 hours alone, at least 138 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in the conflict zone.

Despite the violence, diplomatic activity appears to be accelerating. Hamas confirmed it has responded to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal with a “positive spirit” and expressed readiness to engage in further negotiations. The proposal, championed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, calls for a 60-day cessation of hostilities and outlines a phased process including the release of 10 living Israeli hostages and the return of the remains of 18 others.

Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, welcomed Hamas’s response and suggested that a Gaza ceasefire agreement could materialize as early as next week. However, he noted that he had yet to receive a full briefing on the specifics of the group’s reply. The United States has been coordinating closely with mediators Egypt and Qatar to move the ceasefire discussions forward.

The Israeli government has so far remained silent on the proposal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently maintained that any truce must involve Hamas’s disarmament—an outcome the militant group has rejected. Analysts suggest this demand could remain a major obstacle to reaching a final agreement.

Meanwhile, public pressure is mounting in Israel for a negotiated settlement. Families of hostages, along with other demonstrators, rallied outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv on American Independence Day. Protesters urged both Netanyahu and Trump to move forward with the ceasefire to secure the release of those still in captivity.

The proposed deal is seen by many as the most promising diplomatic opening in months of relentless conflict. While both sides have voiced skepticism in the past, the current alignment of regional and international players—including renewed mediation by Qatar and Egypt—has added urgency to the talks. Still, any breakthrough will require navigating deep-rooted mistrust, security concerns, and political pressure on both sides.

As the death toll continues to rise and humanitarian conditions in Gaza worsen, hopes for a temporary truce remain fragile but not out of reach.