Israeli strikes killed at least 60 people across Gaza on Monday in some of the heaviest attacks in weeks, as Israeli officials prepared to travel to Washington for a new ceasefire push by U.S. President Donald Trump.
An Israeli official and a source familiar with the situation said that Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was on his way to Washington for discussions on Iran and Gaza the day after Trump called to “Make the deal in Gaza, get the hostages back.”
According to the Washington source, Dermer is anticipated to start meetings with representatives of the Trump administration on Tuesday.
On the ground, however, the fighting in the Palestinian enclave showed no signs of abating. Residents of sizable districts in the northern Gaza Strip were ordered to evacuate by the Israeli military on Monday, starting a fresh round of displacement.
“Homes and schools were bombed; explosions never stopped. It felt like earthquakes,” said Salah, 60, a father of five from Gaza City. “In the news, we hear a ceasefire is near. On the ground, we see death and hear explosions.”
“Look at us, we are not just numbers and not just pictures. Every day martyrs like this,” said displaced woman Amani Swalha, standing in the rubble of a Gaza City school hit in a strike. “It is our right to live, and to live with dignity, not like this in humilia
Health officials said Monday’s Israeli strikes killed at least 58 people, including at least 13 southwest of Gaza City and 10 in Zeitoun. Although residents also reported an airstrike, medics said the majority of the 13 were struck by gunfire.
