Gaza (TDI): Israeli air and ground forces escalated their operations across northern Gaza late Monday, even as high-level ceasefire talks were scheduled to take place at the White House.
Residents in Gaza described the overnight bombardment as some of the heaviest in recent weeks, just hours after Israeli authorities issued fresh evacuation orders for several neighborhoods in the north of the strip.
Israeli tanks moved into eastern sections of the Zeitoun district, while airstrikes targeted four schools, according to local reports. The military had earlier instructed civilians sheltering in those schools to evacuate.
Health officials in Gaza reported at least 38 fatalities across the territory on Monday, with 10 deaths in Zeitoun alone and another 13 southwest of Gaza City.
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Most casualties were reportedly caused by gunfire, though airstrikes were also cited. There was no immediate response from the Israeli military regarding the specific incident near Khan Younis.
The military stated that its operations targeted Hamas command posts and militant infrastructure in the north, adding that precautionary measures had been taken to reduce civilian harm.
This latest surge in violence coincides with diplomatic efforts led by the Trump administration to broker a ceasefire and push for broader regional dialogue. President Trump, in a post on Sunday, called on Israel to “make the deal in Gaza, get the hostages back.”
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In line with those efforts, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, an adviser close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was expected to meet with US officials in Washington on Monday to discuss Gaza, Iran, and potential regional agreements, AFP reported.
Back in Israel, Netanyahu’s security cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss next steps in Gaza. The Israeli premier recently suggested there had been progress in efforts to recover remaining hostages, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive.
On Friday, Israel’s military chief signaled that the current phase of the ground campaign was nearing completion. Yet for Gaza’s residents, the reality remains grim, with thousands displaced once again and no clear sign of respite from the relentless assault.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
