Escalation of Violence in Gaza and Lebanon
Five Israeli soldiers were killed in an attack in the northern Gaza Strip, according to Israel’s military. Meanwhile, health officials in the Palestinian territory reported that 51 people were killed in Israeli strikes. The violence occurred as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting the White House for discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a potential ceasefire plan to halt the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Support kami, ada hadiah spesial untuk anda.
Klik di sini: https://indonesiacrowd.com/support-bonus/
Although no official breakthrough was announced, there were indications of progress toward reaching an agreement. The deaths of the soldiers could increase pressure on Netanyahu to finalize a deal, as public opinion in Israel shows strong support for ending the 21-month-long war.
A senior Israeli official mentioned that 80-90% of the details had been resolved, suggesting that a final agreement might be reached within days. However, the official spoke under the condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to discuss the sensitive negotiations with the media.
In another development, Israel targeted a senior Hamas militant in a rare airstrike in northern Lebanon, which resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
Support us — there's a special gift for you.
Click here: https://indonesiacrowd.com/support-bonus/
Explosive Attacks on Israeli Forces
The soldiers were killed approximately two weeks after Israel reported one of its deadliest days in months in Gaza, when seven soldiers were killed following a Palestinian attaching a bomb to their armored vehicle. An Israeli security official stated that explosive devices were detonated against the five soldiers during an operation in the Beit Hanoun area in northern Gaza, a region where Israel has repeatedly engaged with militants.
Militants also opened fire on the forces evacuating the wounded soldiers, the official said. The military reported that 14 soldiers were injured in the attack, with two suffering serious injuries. This brings the total number of soldiers killed since Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, to 888.
In a statement, Netanyahu expressed his condolences, saying the soldiers fell “in a campaign to defeat Hamas and to free all of our hostages.”
Civilian Casualties in Israeli Strikes
Health officials at Nasser Hospital reported that one strike targeted tents housing displaced people in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, killing four individuals. Another strike in the same area killed four more people, including a mother, father, and their two children. Nisma al-Baiouk, the sister of one man killed, described the tragic loss of her nephew Awda, who was found with no face.
Nasser Hospital records indicated that 41 people were killed on Tuesday. In central Gaza, Israeli strikes killed another 10 people and injured 72, according to Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp.
Israel’s military did not immediately comment on the strikes but attributed any harm to civilians to Hamas, claiming that the militants operate in populated areas.
Strain on Gaza’s Healthcare System
The ongoing fighting has brought the healthcare system in Gaza to the brink of collapse. On Tuesday, the Palestine Red Crescent announced that the Al-Zaytoun Medical Clinic in Gaza City ceased operations due to shelling in the surrounding area. This closure will force thousands of civilians to travel long distances for medical care or vaccinations for children.
Push for a 60-Day Ceasefire
Trump has emphasized the need to end the war in Gaza soon following the recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran. White House officials are urging both sides to quickly agree on a 60-day pause in the fighting, which would allow aid to flood into Gaza and free some of the remaining 50 hostages held in the territory. Netanyahu has confirmed that 20 of them are still alive.
A major sticking point remains whether the ceasefire will end the war entirely. Hamas has expressed willingness to release all hostages in exchange for an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. However, Netanyahu insists the war will only end once Hamas surrenders, disarms, and goes into exile—something Hamas refuses to do.
The initial Hamas attack in 2023 resulted in the death of around 1,200 people and the capture of 251 others. Most of the hostages have been released in previous ceasefires. Israel responded with an offensive that has led to the deaths of over 57,000 Palestinians, more than half of whom are women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Rare Israeli Airstrike in Northern Lebanon
In a separate incident, an Israeli airstrike hit a car in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, killing Mehran Mustafa Bajur, a key Hamas commander in Lebanon linked to rocket attacks on Israel. There was no immediate response from Hamas.
Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, fought a brutal war last year, which ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November. Since then, Israel has continued to conduct near-daily airstrikes in Lebanon targeting what it claims are officials and facilities of Hezbollah and other militant groups. Most of these strikes have occurred in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah had a significant military presence.
Approximately 250 people have been killed in strikes in Lebanon since the ceasefire, according to the Health Ministry. Hezbollah, which suffered heavy losses during the war, has faced increasing international and domestic pressure to surrender its remaining arsenal. However, it has refused to do so until Israel withdraws from five key border points it occupies in southern Lebanon and halts its airstrikes.
