Netanyahu Reports Progress on Ceasefire and Captive Deal, but No Timeline Given

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed the parliament of progress in reaching a ceasefire agreement and securing the release of captives in Gaza, though he refrained from providing a timeline. Meanwhile, Hamas’s armed wing warned that the safety of some captives hinges on the Israeli army’s activities in areas of Gaza experiencing intensified military actions.
Israeli forces continue heavy bombardment in Gaza, claiming dozens of lives over the past 24 hours, including casualties in al-Mawasi, a designated “safe zone” in southern Gaza. The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees condemned Israel’s escalating actions, highlighting frequent attacks on schools and hospitals.
In North Gaza, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital described an Israeli evacuation order as “nearly impossible” to execute, with around 400 civilians, including infants reliant on oxygen and incubators, still sheltering in the facility.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 45,317 Palestinians and injuries to 107,713 individuals. On the same day, Hamas-led attacks killed 1,139 people in Israel, with over 200 individuals taken captive.