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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to eradicate Hamas on Wednesday, vowing to "destroy" the group "down to their very foundation," while the Palestinian side reportedly considers new ceasefire proposals in Gaza.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, meanwhile, indicated some "positive signs" in the effort to reach both a hostage deal and a ceasefire, stressing that Israel is serious about initiating proximity talks as soon as possible.
These remarks followed Hamas’s statements, in which the group expressed openness to a ceasefire agreement with Israel, emphasizing that any deal must lead to a complete end to the war.
Hamas official Taher al-Nunu stated that the group is "ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement" and is "ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war."
According to an Egyptian official, a Hamas delegation is expected to meet with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo to discuss the proposal. The group has also offered to release the remaining 50 hostages—less than half of whom are said to be alive—in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war.
Israel, however, insists that hostilities will cease only if Hamas surrenders, disarms, and goes into exile, terms the group refuses to accept.
U.S. President Donald Trump urged Hamas to accept a 60-day truce, a plan Israel reportedly supports, though Netanyahu has not publicly addressed this. Hamas confirmed it is examining the proposals, which reportedly include a 60-day truce during which Hamas would release half of the Israeli captives it holds in Gaza in exchange for Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners.
A Palestinian source involved in mediation described the current offer as largely unchanged from earlier terms. Of the 251 hostages taken by Palestinian militants in October 2023, 49 remain in Gaza, including 27 declared dead by the Israeli military.
At the same time, Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted Mohammed Ismail Darwish, chairman of the Hamas Leadership Council, in Ankara to discuss recent developments regarding the ceasefire.
Turkish diplomatic sources report that Fidan emphasized Türkiye’s commitment not to allow recent regional tensions to overshadow the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for Palestinian unity, stressing that Palestine must be recognized as a unified entity, encompassing Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Fidan highlighted that Ankara’s top priority is to stop the massacre and ensure the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid. Furthermore, he reiterated that Türkiye will continue to strongly defend and support the Palestinian cause until Palestine gains its freedom.
The nearly 21-month-long conflict has resulted in a dire humanitarian situation. Israeli military operations have intensified, with medical sources reporting at least 90 deaths on a single day amid expanding airstrikes.
According to Anadolu Agency, at least 10 Palestinians were killed on Salah Al-Din Street near the Netzarim Corridor, while five others died waiting for aid in western Rafah. In central Khan Younis, Israeli fire killed 10 people and injured many more near aid distribution points, and additional strikes hit homes and shelters in Khan Younis and Gaza City, causing dozens of casualties.
Attacks also struck refugee camps and residential neighborhoods across central and northern Gaza, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries among civilians trying to access food, shelter, and medical care.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for three neighborhoods in Gaza City, urging residents to relocate south to the Mawasi area. Israeli forces warned that attacks will continue against any sites used to launch missiles into Israel and announced that operations will expand into Gaza City’s center.
Since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths, Israel’s retaliatory campaign has caused more than 57,000 deaths in Gaza, predominantly civilians, according to figures from Gaza’s health ministry.
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