In the southern Gaza Strip, Israeli forces engaged in combat with Palestinian militant organizations on Sunday, supported by airstrikes. They said that the operation, which lasted for a week, was aimed at eliminating Islamist Hamas militants.
Tanks moved into the communities of Al-Zanna, Al-Karara, and Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis, a week after Israeli forces ordered inhabitants to leave the area. Medics said that at least 34 Palestinians had died as a result of Israeli attacks in these villages.
Residents reported heavy fighting as hundreds of Palestinians, many of whom had been displaced more than once, made their way north to Deir Al-Balah, located in the central Gaza Strip, and to the packed districts of Al-Mawasi, southwest of Khan Younis.
The fighting in Khan Younis highlighted the heavy resistance Israeli soldiers have faced over ten months after Israel launched its assault in Gaza in response to attacks on it on October 7 led by Hamas.
Israel claims that Hamas is to blame for hiding fighters in residential areas and that its forces take all reasonable precautions to prevent civilian fatalities.
However, the head of the UN organization that provides help to Palestinians, Philippe Lazzarini, claimed that the Israeli military's orders to evacuate were making the situation worse for the people of Palestine.
Five individuals, including Maria Abu Ziada, a four-month-old baby, were murdered in an airstrike that targeted a tent encampment in Al-Mawasi, a district that the army has ordered residents to relocate to as a humanitarian safe zone. The incident was reported by the local media.
There has also been fighting in other regions of Gaza, such as Rafah near the Egyptian border, the Gaza City district of Tel Al-Hawa, the north of the enclave, and central Gaza, where residents were ordered to leave and relocate to Al-Mawasi immediately.
The battle went on while representatives from Qatar, Israel, and Egypt met with CIA Director William Burns in Rome to discuss what Israel called clarifications on the draft agreement that Israel had sent over.
According to a statement released by the Israeli prime minister's office, negotiations on the major topics will continue in the coming days.
Hamas demands a ceasefire agreement that will end the war in Gaza, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasizes that the fighting will only end when Hamas is vanquished.
According to Israeli public broadcaster Kan, Israel responded to the most recent proposal on Saturday before the planned meeting. This is an attempt to come to a resolution following months of accusations between Israel and Hamas over the stalemate.
After accusing the Iranian-backed organization of killing 12 kids and teens in a rocket strike, Israel declared on Sunday that it would launch a fierce counteroffensive against Hamas' affiliate, Hezbollah. The incident elevated tensions.