Gaza Conflict: Soldier Deaths, Talks Stall, Strikes Kill Civilians

Five Israeli soldiers from the Netzah Yehuda Battalion were killed and at least 14 wounded by a roadside bomb and subsequent gunfire during operations in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza. The attack led far-right Israeli ministers to demand a halt to peace talks, while Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 18 Palestinians, including civilians in tents and families in Khan Younis and central Gaza. Indirect ceasefire negotiations, mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar and involving US envoy Steve Witkoff, remain stalled over key demands from both Israel and Hamas. The talks center on a US-backed proposal for a 60-day truce, hostage releases, and increased humanitarian aid. An Israeli reservist has alleged that IDF troops are following loose rules of engagement, leading to civilian shootings in no-go zones. The conflict, now in its 22nd month, has resulted in over 57,500 Palestinian deaths since October 2023.