On the 638th day of the war in Gaza, Israeli air and ground operations continued across the besieged enclave, killing dozens and injuring hundreds, even as fresh signs emerged of a potential breakthrough toward a ceasefire after nearly 21 months of hostilities.
The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 64 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes since dawn, targeting areas including the Al-Bureij refugee camp, Al-Mawasi (west of Khan Younis), and the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood in Gaza City. In an updated toll, the ministry said 70 people were killed and 332 injured in the past 24 hours alone, raising the total death toll since the war began on 7 October 2023 to 57,338 killed and 135,957 wounded.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for a series of attacks against Israeli forces in the Jabalia area, saying it had destroyed several Merkava tanks using RPGs and explosive devices. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant described the day as “difficult” after two Israeli soldiers were killed and two others seriously wounded in an anti-tank missile strike in Khan Younis.
Amid the ongoing violence, diplomatic momentum appeared to be building. The Guardian reported growing indications of an imminent ceasefire deal. Citing unnamed sources, Egypt’s Al-Qahera News channel said Hamas had officially submitted its response to the latest truce proposal, paving the way for indirect negotiations that could extend over the next 60 days.
The sources added that Egypt would begin intensive consultations in the coming hours with all relevant parties—including Israel and Hamas—in a bid to reach a final agreement acceptable to all sides. Hamas, in a statement, described its response as “positive,” affirming that it is “serious and ready to immediately engage in talks on implementation mechanisms.”
US President Donald Trump welcomed Hamas’ move, calling it “a good thing,” though he noted he had not yet been officially briefed. He added that a Gaza agreement could emerge “within days.” Meanwhile, the Islamic Jihad movement also expressed support for the talks but stressed the need for guarantees ensuring a permanent end to hostilities.
Israeli media reported that the government had received Hamas’ response and was currently evaluating it. A delegation may be dispatched to Doha in the coming hours to follow up on the negotiations.
Separately, the US- and Israeli-backed humanitarian organisation Gaza Relief announced that two American aid workers were injured in an attack on one of its food distribution centres in southern Gaza.
As the fighting drags on and humanitarian access remains severely restricted, Gaza’s municipal authorities have sounded the alarm over a worsening water crisis in eastern Gaza City. The municipality stated that Israeli forces have blocked maintenance crews from reaching water wells, leaving thousands of families without access to water for over a week.
“Israel deliberately bombed a desalination plant at a time when residents are already struggling to access clean drinking water,” said a municipal spokesperson, adding that soaring temperatures and continued displacement have deepened the crisis.
