Gaza City: Hamas has urged Israel to suspend its air strikes on Gaza City for 24 hours as the group searches for two Israeli hostages whose whereabouts became unknown during intensified military operations. The armed wing of Hamas, the al-Qassam Brigades, appealed for a temporary cessation of hostilities and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces to aid in the safe recovery of the hostages.
According to France24.com, the two hostages, identified as Matan Angrest and Omri Miran, went missing amidst heavy Israeli military activity in Gaza City neighborhoods. In a statement, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades emphasized the urgency of the situation, citing that the hostages’ lives are in significant danger and called for Israeli forces to retreat south of Street 8.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll of the ongoing conflict continues to escalate. Gaza’s health ministry reported that the death toll has surpassed 66,000, with 79 fatalities recorded in the last 24 hours alone. The ministry’s figures, which include both civilians and militants, indicate that women and children constitute roughly half of the deceased, a statistic validated by the UN and other experts.
Amidst the intensifying conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House. The discussions are expected to focus on potential measures to halt the Israeli military offensive in Gaza. Netanyahu is facing increasing international pressure to cease hostilities, with the EU contemplating sanctions and calls for cultural and sports boycotts against Israel gaining momentum.
President Trump, who has supported Israel but recently expressed impatience following an incident in Qatar, is anticipated to present a new proposal to end the war. This proposal reportedly includes a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a phased Israeli withdrawal. Trump hinted at a potential breakthrough, suggesting unprecedented cooperation among Middle Eastern leaders.
In parallel diplomatic efforts, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is scheduled to visit Cairo for discussions with Egyptian officials. This visit is part of ongoing diplomatic exchanges aimed at addressing regional concerns, particularly the situation in Gaza which has strained Egypt-Israel relations. Egypt has voiced criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and expressed concerns over potential mass displacement of Palestinians into its territory.