Israel has submitted a revised proposal for withdrawing its forces from the Gaza Strip, diplomatic sources confirmed on Monday, amid escalating violence and a mounting humanitarian crisis.
Stalled Negotiations in Doha
Indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Doha, Qatar, have recently stalled. The new proposal suggests that Israel would reduce its military presence to a 2-kilometer-wide buffer zone along the southern border near Rafah.
However, doubts remain about whether this concession will lead to a breakthrough. According to an Arab diplomat cited by the Times of Israel, Hamas demands that Israeli forces withdraw to the positions they held before the last ceasefire collapsed in March.
Escalating Violence
Despite diplomatic efforts, Israeli airstrikes intensified across Gaza. At least 47 Palestinians were killed on Monday, including in refugee camps and multiple neighborhoods. Strikes also hit tents sheltering displaced people, killing 20 more, and gunfire near an aid center in Rafah claimed additional lives.
Palestinian armed groups reported clashes in Khan Younis, Jabalia, and al-Tuffah. Hamas claimed to have targeted an Israeli vehicle, while Islamic Jihad said it destroyed several.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the situation in Gaza as “horrific.”
“What we are witnessing in Gaza is a level of death and destruction that has no parallel in recent times,” Guterres told reporters. He called for a permanent ceasefire, emphasizing that a lasting solution requires both Palestinians and Israelis to have a state where they can exercise their rights.
UN agencies condemned attacks on civilians seeking aid. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that seven children were killed while waiting for water in Nuseirat, just days after women and children died while queuing for food. UNICEF called the killings an “outrage” and stressed that civilians should not risk death to obtain basic necessities.
Healthcare System on the Brink
Gaza’s health system is near collapse. A specialist surgeon was killed, and hospitals are barely functioning due to fuel shortages. UN officials warned that limited fuel deliveries last only a day, urgently calling for sustained access.
OCHA reported that over 5,800 children were diagnosed with malnutrition last month, including 1,000 with severe acute malnutrition. Aid entering Gaza remains grossly insufficient for the 2.1 million residents.
Evacuation Orders and Displacement
Israeli authorities continue to issue evacuation orders, with the latest affecting 70,000 people in Gaza City’s Rimal area. Over 86 percent of Gaza is now under displacement orders or designated as militarized zones.
Violence Spreads to the West Bank
In the West Bank, violence is on the rise. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that the absence of international deterrence mechanisms is encouraging Israeli settlers to escalate violations against Palestinians. OCHA reported over 700 settler attacks affecting more than 200 communities, causing casualties and property destruction.
