The Israeli army reported on Tuesday that five of its soldiers were killed and two others wounded in ongoing battles in northern Gaza, underscoring the rising toll of the nearly ten-month conflict. According to military sources, the troops fell during a Hamas ambush in Beit Hanoun, where fighters used armor-piercing explosives to trap Israeli forces.

Israeli helicopters were seen landing in the area overnight to evacuate casualties, as reported by Sky News Arabia.

Trump-Netanyahu Meeting: Ceasefire Still in Reach?

The announcement of the casualties came just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. During the meeting, Trump insisted that Hamas “wants a meeting and wants a ceasefire,” expressing optimism that a deal could be reached soon.

Responding to questions about why no agreement had been finalized, Trump said: “I don’t think there’s an obstacle. I think things are going well.”

Netanyahu, however, reiterated his rejection of a fully sovereign Palestinian state and stressed that Israel must maintain long-term security control over Gaza, even after a ceasefire.

Gaza Toll Mounts, Hostage Crisis Ongoing

The war began in October 2023 when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, of whom about 50 remain in captivity, with only 20 believed to be alive, according to Israeli authorities.

The Gaza Health Ministry says that more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military campaign since then.

U.S. officials, including spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, have reiterated that Trump's top priority is ending the war and freeing the hostages. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is set to travel to Doha this week to resume indirect talks between Israel and Hamas.