Over 70 dead in the Gaza Strip: intensified Israeli raids. Hamas in talks in Cairo for release of hostages

Israel continues ground and air operations, while Golani unit is ready for future action. Crucial talks in Egypt for release of hostages

The situation in the Gaza Strip continues to deteriorate, with the death toll rising to over 70 in the last few hours, caused by Israeli raids that devastated areas of Khan Younis, Rafah and Beit Lahiya. According to al-Jazeera reports, at least 11 buildings have been completely destroyed. The dead include women, children and infants, in an escalation of violence that has left the civilian population in shock.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that they had intensified ground operations in southern and central Gaza to create a buffer zone between the northern and southern parts of the enclave. After the truce was broken and shelling resumed on Tuesday, Israeli troops took control of half of the Netzarim Corridor, up to the Salah a-Din Road, a strategic point in southern Gaza.

In parallel, the Golani Brigade was deployed near the southern Gaza border, ready for possible future military action. The IDF reiterated that they will continue to operate to protect Israeli citizens from terrorist threats from the Gaza Strip.

In the context of this new wave of violence, Israeli Minister Israel Katz issued a video message addressed to the residents of Gaza, urging them to follow the advice of US President Donald Trump and hand over the hostages and remove Hamas from control of the enclave. Katz added that if these directions are followed, options will open up for the Gazans, including the possibility of leaving the enclave for other destinations.

On the diplomatic front, a Hamas delegation is expected in Cairo today for talks with Egyptian mediators regarding the latest developments in Gaza. According to well-informed sources, Hamas has said it is willing to negotiate the release of the Israeli hostages, provided their release takes place during the transition to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Meanwhile, an Israeli delegation made a lightning visit to Cairo yesterday to meet with the Egyptian intelligence chief, Hassan Rashad. Both sides aim to avoid further escalation and to find a solution that can guarantee a return to the ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations.

Meanwhile, in Israel, alarm sirens went off in several areas of the country after a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted in the last few hours. The Iranian-backed Houthis claimed the operation, saying they had launched a hypersonic ‘Palestine-2’ missile, whose target was Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport. Fortunately, the missile was intercepted before it caused any damage. The Israeli government has promised to respond decisively to this further threat to national security.

Tensions in the region remain high, with the civilian population continuing to pay the highest price in this conflict. The role of the international community becomes crucial in trying to bring the violence to an end and bring the parties back to the negotiating table, but for the moment peace still seems a distant goal.

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