Israel, US on new ceasefire plan: Netanyahu

Netanyahu has faced mounting international pressure to halt the war, particularly amid Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza City. Gaza’s Health Ministry said Sunday that the death toll in the Israel-Hamas conflict has climbed to 66,005, with more than 168,000 others wounded.

Trump is expected to unveil a 21-point ceasefire proposal during Monday’s White House meeting. According to Arab officials briefed on the plan, it calls for an immediate halt to fighting, the release of all hostages within 48 hours, and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stressed the plan has not yet been finalized.

Netanyahu has pledged to continue military operations until Hamas is destroyed but indicated readiness to allow Hamas operatives to leave Gaza under a deal that ends the conflict. “If they finish the war, release all the hostages, we let them out,” he told Fox News.

Trump has largely backed Israel but has shown signs of impatience, especially after Israel struck Hamas’ political headquarters in Doha earlier this month. Ceasefire negotiations have since stalled despite rising global protests, European moves toward sanctions, and fresh calls for a sports and cultural boycott of Israel.

At the UN General Assembly on Friday, Netanyahu told world leaders Israel “must finish the job” against Hamas, which is still holding 48 hostages—about 20 of them believed to be alive.

Meanwhile, Hamas said it has been briefed on Trump’s proposal but has yet to receive an official offer via Egyptian and Qatari mediators. The group reiterated its willingness to study any proposals “positively and responsibly.”

On the ground, Israeli airstrikes continued across Gaza. Local hospitals reported at least 10 deaths in Nuseirat refugee camp after strikes hit residential homes. Residents said explosions echoed nonstop through the night.

The Israeli military said it targeted 140 Hamas positions in the past 24 hours. On Sunday, it struck and leveled the 16-story Macca Tower in Gaza City after warning residents to evacuate, claiming the building housed Hamas infrastructure. No casualties were reported.

Israel’s offensive has displaced about 90% of Gaza’s population and left vast areas in ruins, with UN experts warning of famine conditions.

Violence also flared in the West Bank, where the army said a 20-year-old Israeli soldier died of wounds from an earlier attack near Nablus. Security forces shot dead the alleged attacker, an incident praised by Hamas.

The conflict, now in its twelfth month, has brought unprecedented devastation to Gaza while deepening unrest across the occupied territories, reports UNB.