Gaza( The COW News Digital)At least 89 Palestinians, including 31 people who were desperately seeking humanitarian aid, were killed in a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, according to the territory’s Ministry of Health. The attacks also left 513 others injured. Since the escalation of hostilities on October 7, 2023, the total Palestinian death toll has risen to 61,599.
The Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera reported that five Palestinians, including two children, died from severe malnutrition as the humanitarian crisis deepens. Additionally, rescue teams recovered 11 more bodies from the rubble of destroyed buildings, further underscoring the scale of devastation across the besieged enclave.
In a significant political development, Egypt has reportedly proposed a comprehensive peace agreement to Hamas. According to Israel’s public broadcaster, a Hamas delegation has arrived in Cairo to discuss the proposal, which includes the release of all 50 Israeli captives — both alive and deceased — in exchange for a ceasefire, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and Hamas’ disarmament.
Meanwhile, diplomatic engagement continues across the region. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the upcoming peace conference and explore possible frameworks for a long-term resolution.
Internationally, the crisis drew a powerful statement from The Elders, a group of veteran global leaders founded by the late Nelson Mandela. After visiting Egypt’s border crossings, the group described the situation in Gaza as an ongoing “genocide” and called for sanctions against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This marks the first time the organization has used such stark language to characterize the conflict, adding to mounting global condemnation of Israel’s military actions.
The latest civilian casualties come amid warnings from humanitarian agencies that Gaza is on the brink of complete societal collapse. Aid convoys continue to face severe restrictions, with many unable to reach communities in desperate need. The blockade has not only crippled access to food and medicine but has also intensified famine conditions in northern Gaza.
As diplomatic and humanitarian appeals intensify, hopes for a breakthrough remain uncertain. While the Egyptian proposal offers a potential pathway to de-escalation, both sides remain entrenched in their demands, leaving Gaza’s civilians trapped in what observers describe as one of the most dire humanitarian crises in modern history.
