The Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported that at least 50,944 Palestinians have died since the onset of Israeli military responses on October 7, 2023, with ongoing airstrikes exacerbating casualties and destruction.

As Israel gains control over significant areas of Gaza, including a buffer zone around Rafah, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with no aid reaching the region for over a month.

Over 250 former Mossad operatives, including three ex-chiefs, have publicly criticized Israel's renewed military action in Gaza, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prioritize the return of hostages held by Hamas over continuing combat.

In a letter, these former agents assert that the current military campaign primarily serves political motives rather than genuine security concerns, stating, 'The war mainly serves political and personal interests and not security interests.'

Protests have erupted outside the home of Ron Dermer, the minister responsible for hostage negotiations, where families of hostages accuse him of stalling talks to align with government interests.

Hostage families have demanded better communication and transparency from Dermer, urging him to resign if he cannot effectively manage the negotiations.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the situation in Gaza as more dramatic than ever, calling for a ceasefire and the release of hostages to facilitate future political discussions and reconstruction efforts.

Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are ongoing in Cairo, facilitated by Qatar and Egypt, as efforts to establish a new ceasefire continue after previous talks failed in March.

Critics argue that Netanyahu's decision to escalate the conflict caters to far-right coalition partners who demand a complete defeat of Hamas to maintain government stability.

The letter emphasizes that ongoing fighting endangers the lives of both hostages and Israeli soldiers, calling for courageous and responsible decisions from the government.

The bombing of the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza has sparked international condemnation, with the British Foreign Secretary emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions and condemning attacks on medical facilities.

Israel has proposed a deal for the release of 10 hostages in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire, which would also involve lifting the blockade on Gaza and withdrawing IDF troops from the territory seized since March.