Israel has proposed a 45-day ceasefire in Gaza, but Hamas has rejected the condition of complete disarmament. As per reports, during the first week of the proposed ceasefire, Hamas would release 10 live hostages in exchange for Israel freeing 120 Palestinians serving life sentences and over 1,000 detained since October 7, 2023. Prior to the March 18 ceasefire breakdown, the IDF would withdraw to previous positions. Palestinians would be allowed to cross the Netzarim corridor, humanitarian aid would resume, and infrastructure reconstruction would begin. Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. would mediate negotiations aiming at a permanent end to hostilities. In the next phase, Hamas would provide evidence of living hostages and return the bodies of the deceased.

Israeli forces opened fire from helicopters in the city of Rafah on Wednesday. At least 23 Palestinians were killed in separate attacks across various enclaves since early morning. Heavy bombardments in the Jabalia refugee camp resulted in rising smoke plumes, while additional shelling was reported near Khan Yunis, close to the town of Al-Kabira.

Artillery fire also hit the Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps in central Gaza. In the northern Jabalia camp, three people were killed. In the Al-Nafaq Street area of Tuffah neighborhood, at least 10 members of the Hasuna family were reportedly killed. Another airstrike in the Al-Shaf neighborhood resulted in three more civilian deaths.

For the first time, over 100 Jews were seen praying at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Wednesday, marking a significant deviation from long-standing agreements and customs. Historically, no more than 30 individuals were allowed to enter together, and while Jews could visit the compound, they were not permitted to pray there. This arrangement stems from a post-1967 agreement after Israel took control of East Jerusalem. Despite the agreement, Jewish groups have increasingly prayed at what they refer to as the Temple Mount, drawing criticism. Israel’s Chief Rabbinate has previously declared that only spiritually pure Jews should pray there, a stance Orthodox groups have criticized as discriminatory. Even some Israeli ministers have defied the agreement by praying at the site, raising fears of further tensions and violence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu entered northern Gaza on Tuesday and met with IDF troops. His office confirmed the visit, during which Netanyahu warned Hamas of “more strikes.” He showed Israeli soldiers a social media post by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, reiterating calls for Israel’s destruction. Over 51,000 Palestinians have reportedly died since the Israeli offensive began more than 18 months ago.

Hamas’ military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, has reported losing contact with the unit guarding Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander following recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. A previously released video had shown Alexander alive, criticizing the Israeli government for failing to secure his release. Hamas has reiterated its willingness to release hostages if a “serious and permanent” ceasefire is ensured.

Egypt has proposed a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, contingent on the disarmament of Palestinian factions. Hamas has firmly rejected the offer. According to a senior official, Egypt emphasized that no deal with Israel is possible without full disarmament. Hamas maintains that any agreement must prioritize an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza and a full withdrawal from Palestinian territories. Israel, on the other hand, insists that Hamas must be defeated, including the surrender of all weapons, before any ceasefire can be considered.

At least 39 Palestinians were killed in the last 24 hours due to ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, pushing the death toll to nearly 51,000 since the conflict began. An additional 118 people were injured, raising the total number of injured to 116,274. Since March 18, when Israel resumed intensified air raids, 1,574 Palestinians have been killed and 4,115 injured, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The UN reports that around 85% of Gaza’s population has been displaced, with 60% of the region’s infrastructure either damaged or destroyed.

Dina Khaled Zaurub, a 22-year-old Palestinian artist known for painting portraits of victims of Israeli bombings, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza. In 2015, she received the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights award for her work highlighting the plight of children in armed conflict. Her family’s tent near the Sand Beach Resort in western Khan Yunis was hit by a bomb, resulting in her death.

Hundreds of illegal Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Monday, coinciding with the second day of the Jewish festival Passover. Backed by Israeli police, 765 settlers entered the compound through the Al-Mughrabi Gate and launched coordinated attacks inside the mosque. The previous day, nearly 500 settlers had also entered and attacked the mosque. Passover is one of the most significant Jewish religious festivals, commemorating the exodus of Israelites from Egypt under Prophet Moses.

A Hamas delegation currently participating in negotiations in Cairo has described the ongoing talks aimed at ending the war in Gaza and opening border crossings for humanitarian aid as “responsible” and “positive.” Hamas confirmed that discussions are also underway with the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah regarding the reconstruction of Gaza and the integration of Palestinian institutions in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. “We remain open to new proposals as long as the talks focus on a full cessation of hostilities in Gaza and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces,” the group stated. “We will not compromise on our legitimate demands: a total end to the war, Israeli withdrawal, Gaza’s reconstruction, recognition of our political rights, and an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”

In the past 24 hours, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 37 Palestinians across Gaza, including six brothers who were distributing food to the hungry. The WHO reported that bombing near Al-Ahli Arab Hospital resulted in a child’s death due to disrupted medical services. Since 2023, Israel’s military campaign has killed 50,944 people and injured 116,156 in Gaza. Since March 18 alone, 1,574 Palestinians have died and 4,115 more injured.

Two Israeli missiles struck a major hospital in Gaza, severely damaging the emergency and reception departments and causing widespread destruction. Photos circulating on social media show displaced families leaving the hospital, some dragging ailing relatives on hospital beds. Hamas’s government media office condemned the attack as a “heinous and despicable crime,” claiming it is part of Israel’s systematic plan to dismantle Gaza’s healthcare sector. They allege that 34 hospitals have been deliberately destroyed to deprive civilians of essential medical services.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim to have taken full control of the strategic Gaza city of Rafah. According to IDF statements, the ‘Morag Corridor’ between Khan Younis and Rafah is now under complete Israeli control, effectively cutting the city off from the rest of Gaza. Rafah had become a primary refuge for Gazans after previous ceasefires, but Israel has now ordered civilians to evacuate this area as well. The Israeli Defense Minister stated that this is the final chance for Hamas to surrender and release hostages. “If Gazans don’t comply, Israeli operations will expand across the entire strip,” he warned.

According to Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal, Israeli forces have resumed airstrikes on Gaza in violation of the ceasefire, killing at least 500 children. One such strike targeted a newborn named Sham and her family. She lost her arm in the blast and died hours later. On the same day, orders were issued for evacuations in Shuja’iyya and Khan Yunis, leaving many Palestinians without any clear destination. Since March 18, over 1,500 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 3,800 wounded in renewed Israeli airstrikes.

At least 40 more Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours due to Israeli strikes across Gaza. The total death toll has now reached approximately 50,900. Since renewed attacks began on March 18, over 1,500 have been killed. An additional 146 people were injured in the last day, raising the total number of wounded to 115,875 since the conflict began.