As Israel intensified its military assault on Gaza, killing 58 people in a single day, top Israeli officials arrived in Washington on Monday for ceasefire talks spearheaded by the Trump administration.

Airstrikes Escalate Despite Diplomatic Moves

The northern Gaza Strip witnessed one of the heaviest bombardments in weeks on Monday, just hours before Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer was due to meet U.S. officials at the White House. The Israeli military issued evacuation orders across several northern districts, triggering yet another wave of civilian displacement.

"Explosions never stopped; they bombed schools and homes. It felt like earthquakes," said Salah, a 60-year-old father of five from Gaza City. His description echoed across devastated neighborhoods where Israeli tanks advanced into Gaza City’s Zeitoun suburb and warplanes struck four schools housing displaced families.

Among the dead were 20 civilians — including children, women, and a local journalist — killed in a strike on a beachfront café. Gaza health authorities reported at least 58 fatalities in total, including 13 near southwest Gaza City and 10 in Zeitoun.

Ceasefire Proposal Faces Hurdles

The U.S. has proposed a 60-day ceasefire involving the release of half the hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees and remains. The deal would see remaining hostages freed in a final phase that ends the war. Israel has signaled acceptance of the U.S. proposal; Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said, “Israel is serious in its will to reach a hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza.”

But Hamas maintains its position: the war must end and Israeli forces must withdraw entirely. Mediation efforts by Qatar and Egypt continue, though no fresh round of talks has been scheduled.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The humanitarian cost continues to rise. According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 56,000 Palestinians — most of them civilians — have been killed since the war began in October 2023. The UN estimates that more than 80% of the 2.3 million population are either displaced or living in Israeli-declared combat zones.

Israeli forces shelled multiple neighborhoods while maintaining they were targeting Hamas fighters and command centers. Meanwhile, international concern is growing. Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, during a visit to Jerusalem, said: “The suffering of civilians is increasingly burdening Israel’s relations with Europe. A ceasefire must be agreed upon.”

She demanded the unconditional release of hostages by Hamas and called for Israel to allow uninterrupted humanitarian aid — which Israel says it already does, though it accuses Hamas of diverting supplies.

War’s Origins and Toll

The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters launched a surprise attack into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and capturing 251 hostages. It was the deadliest day in Israeli history. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has devastated Gaza, killing tens of thousands and leveling vast parts of the enclave.

While Trump calls on both parties to "make the deal," the view from Gaza remains grim. Said one resident: “In the news we hear a ceasefire is near, on the ground we see death and we hear explosions.”