Rising death toll in Gaza as Trump claims progress in peace talks
Israeli military operations have resulted in the deaths of at least 51 individuals in the Gaza Strip, including 14 Palestinians reportedly waiting near humanitarian aid centers. Despite this escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that “great progress” is being made toward ending the conflict.
Medical staff from al-Awda and Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospitals confirmed that at least nine civilians were killed and several wounded by Israeli fire early Wednesday near the Netzarim Junction in central Gaza while waiting for aid.
These casualties add to a growing list of deaths occurring near distribution sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a controversial organization supported by Israel and the United States. The GHF has been sharply criticized by humanitarian organizations and UN agencies, which argue that it fails to meet the needs of the population and serves as a strategic tool for military control.
According to reports from Gaza, aid centers managed by the GHF are often set up close to Israeli military positions, exposing civilians to risk. Witnesses describe scenes where people are allowed just 20 minutes to collect food before gunfire erupts—turning the centers into deadly zones.
Although under increasing scrutiny, the GHF has denied responsibility for the attacks. Israel has defended its actions, claiming that shootings near aid sites are provoked by individuals deemed “suspicious” by its soldiers.
Beyond the aid areas, additional fatalities were reported in Deir el-Balah, where five family members died in a bombing, and in the Nuseirat refugee camp, where three more were killed. In Gaza City, witnesses described how a shelter was struck without prior warning, killing multiple displaced civilians.
The health ministry in Gaza reports that the ongoing war has killed at least 56,077 people and injured over 131,000. The conflict began following the October 7 attacks in which more than 1,100 people in Israel were killed and over 200 taken hostage.
On the Israeli side, seven soldiers from the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion were killed in recent fighting, with one additional soldier seriously injured. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged it as a “very difficult day” for the nation.
Amid the violence, diplomatic negotiations appear to be gaining traction. Qatar’s Prime Minister indicated that indirect talks between Israel and Hamas may commence within days. A senior Hamas figure confirmed that discussions with mediators from Egypt and Qatar have intensified, though no new proposals have been officially received.
Speaking from The Hague during a NATO summit, Trump expressed optimism about the situation in Gaza, attributing diplomatic progress to recent U.S. military action in the region. He noted that his envoy, Steve Witkoff, believes a peace agreement is near.
Yossi Mekelberg, a senior fellow in London, observed that Trump is currently more popular among Israelis than Prime Minister Netanyahu, particularly regarding the conflict with Iran. Many Israelis hope Trump’s involvement will lead to the release of hostages more quickly than Netanyahu’s ongoing military strategy, which some believe is driven by political motives.
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