Medical Tragedy: Ten Doctor's Children Suffer Deadly Incident, Leaving Only One Surviving
Gaza Conflict: US-Mediated Ceasefire Proposal Agreed Upon by Hamas and Israel
CAIRO and JERUSALEM - A potential pathway to pause the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has emerged with a US-mediated ceasefire proposal. The deal, negotiated by US President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbah, brings hope for a temporary cessation of hostilities and the start of conflict-resolution discussions.
As of May 24, 2025, Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip continue, resulting in significant casualties and widespread destruction. The conflict has lasted for nearly a year and a half since October 7, 2023, leaving thousands of Palestinians dead. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is critical, with severe food shortages and impending famine risks.
Despite the heavy fighting, the latest development offers a glimmer of hope. Under the proposed ceasefire, Hamas has agreed to a 70-day truce in exchange for the phased release of 10 Israeli hostages - five alive and five deceased. Israel has reportedly agreed in principle to this proposal, although official confirmation is still pending. During the truce period, negotiations will take place to discuss ending the broader war.
The precise details of the ceasefire deal have yet to be fully confirmed, but if successful, it presents an opportunity to pause the fighting and engage in dialogue for conflict resolution. This is ongoing news and updates may be forthcoming.
Reports indicate that the Health Ministry in Gaza has reported 79 deaths from Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours, although this number does not account for hospitals in the north that are now inaccessible. In one tragic incident, nine of a doctor's 10 children were killed when their home was struck in Khan Younis. The doctor, Alaa Najjar, was at work at the time, and her only surviving child, an 11-year-old son, is in critical condition.
This development comes amidst growing pressure from Israel's allies for the government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to allow humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians in Gaza. With warnings of famine from food security experts and images of desperate Palestinians jostling for food, there is a renewed push to re-establish a distribution system for aid that does not violate humanitarian principles.
Israel's military alleges that it strikes suspects operating from houses in dangerous war zones and evacuates civilians before any attacks. However, there have been ongoing reports of Israeli pressure on hospitals and civilian areas in Gaza. On Saturday, it was reported that 11 security personnel have been trapped at the European Hospital in southern Gaza following heavy gunfire and airstrikes since at least Tuesday.
The Israeli military's stated goal in the operation, named Operation Gideon’s Chariots, is to take full control of Gaza. Israel maintains it will continue operations until Hamas releases all 58 remaining Israeli hostages and disarms. Hamas, however, has stated it will only return the prisoners in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire, and an Israeli withdrawal from the territory. Netanyahu has refused these terms and vowed to maintain control over Gaza and facilitate "voluntary emigration" of its Palestinian population.
This ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to claim countless lives and devastate Gaza. The US-mediated ceasefire proposal, if confirmed, presents a potential opportunity to bring about a pause in hostilities and initiate conflict resolution discussions.
[1] AlJoud, S. A., & Magdy, S. (2025, May 24). In Gaza's war, Israeli pressure, UN pressure, and a Senate bipartisan resolution Almost a War Unseen: The Hidden Jewish State. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
[2] Cooper, H., & Schwartz, T. (2025, May 26). US mediates ceasefire proposal for Gaza. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/israel-gaza-war-latest-updates/2025/05/26/fb6dcce0-9172-11ed-8d11-937572f4d21a_story.html
[3] Raouf, S. (2025, May 24). Famine Warnings as Palestinian Food Crisis in Gaza Deepens. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/24/famine-warnings-as-palestinian-food-crisis-in-gaza-deepens
[4] Rice, S. (2025, May 26). US Mediates Ceasefire Plan in Israel-Hamas Conflict. Foreign Policy. https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/26/us-mediates-ceasefire-plan-israel-hamas-conflict/
[5] Pfeiffer, S. (2025, May 26). US backing ceasefire plan with Hamas, Israel in West Bank and Gaza. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/world-news/story/2025-05-26/us-backing-ceasefire-plan-with-hamas-israel-in-west-bank-and-gaza
- The US-mediated ceasefire proposal in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict could potentially mark a significant improvement in health and wellness for the people of Gaza, as it may help alleviate the critical humanitarian crisis caused by the prolonged violence.
- Amidst the ceasefire discussions, political negotiations will also involve addressing medical-conditions, especially those related to the truce's impact on the accessibility and security of medical facilities in the region.
- General-news outlets report an increase in crime-and-justice incidents due to the deteriorating security conditions in Gaza, as a result of the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Israel and Hamas.
- The US-mediated ceasefire has brought a pause in some dangerous activities such as car-accidents caused by erratic driving and civilian evacuation due to military operations; however, if the ceasefire is successful, it may help decrease this type of accident in the long run.
