WORLD NEWS

Five Israeli soldiers were killed and 14 injured, including two critically, in northern Gaza’s Beit Hanoon area on Tuesday after a deadly ambush by Palestinian fighters using explosive devices. The Israeli military said the soldiers, aged 20 to 28, “fell during combat,” as preliminary investigations revealed that three rescue attempts were made by different Israeli units — all of which were attacked.
The Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for the ambush. Spokesperson Abu Obeida called it a blow to “an area the occupation thought was safe,” warning of further resistance operations.
Since the war began in October 2023, at least 887 Israeli soldiers have been killed.
❗ Bloodshed Continues: 54 Palestinians Killed in 24 Hours
Meanwhile, Israeli air strikes intensified across Gaza, killing at least 54 Palestinians, according to medical sources. Al Jazeera reported that air, drone, and helicopter attacks struck residential areas and declared “safe zones,” causing mass destruction.
· Nine people were killed in an Israeli drone attack on a tent housing displaced Palestinians in al-Mawasi near Khan Younis.
· Four civilians died in an Israeli air strike on a school shelter in Bureij refugee camp.
· Two more were killed in the Hakr al-Jami area of Deir el-Balah, Wafa News reported.
The bombing campaign, described as a “genocidal onslaught” by Palestinian sources, has triggered near-total collapse of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure.
The Palestine Red Crescent announced the closure of Zeitoun Medical Clinic after heavy shelling, and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reported it was hours away from fuel exhaustion.
“Thousands now have no access to basic health care or even children’s vaccinations,” said Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum from central Gaza.
🔹 Political Pressure Mounts on Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, currently in Washington for talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump, called it a “difficult morning.” The meeting comes amid indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Qatar, where a U.S.-backed 60-day truce proposal is being considered.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid urged an end to the war, stating:
“For the sake of the fighters, their families, the hostages, and the State of Israel — this war must be ended.”
Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh reported that many opposition figures believe Israeli soldiers are dying “not to protect Israel, but to protect Netanyahu’s coalition.”
🔹 Ceasefire Hopes in Balance
Despite Trump’s optimistic forecast last week, no breakthrough has been reported. Talks remain stuck on whether the ceasefire should lead to a permanent end to the war, with Hamas insisting on full Israeli withdrawal and prisoner swaps, while Netanyahu refuses to end the conflict without Hamas’s surrender and exile.
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, increasing international pressure for a resolution.