By: Mohamed Atef
Along the coastal road near Wadi Gaza, more than 50,000 Palestinian civilians walk on foot or ride in vehicles, carrying minimal belongings and young children. Since the start of recent operations, the death toll in northern Gaza has reached around 200, with over 650 injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health
Against this backdrop of human suffering, diplomatic efforts intensify. Senior Hamas sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the next ten days may clarify the path toward a temporary ceasefire in Gaza City, which could include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from approximately 40% of residential areas, according to Arab and international negotiators
Three major Arab states are reportedly engaged in mediation, helping to map withdrawal zones and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. To date, over 1,200 tons of food and medical aid have been distributed to the camps, yet the assistance remains insufficient to cover all those in need
Meanwhile, Fox News reported that Hamas sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump requesting a 60-day truce in exchange for releasing half of its hostages, totaling around 30 Israeli captives. Conflicting accounts exist within Hamas: some deny the letter, while others confirm it was sent via intermediaries following airstrikes in Qatar that killed five Hamas members and wounded others
On the military front, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades released videos showing hostages inside the city, aiming to prevent further Israeli incursions, Sources estimate that a full-scale invasion could result in loss of control over 60% of Gaza’s urban areas, making any future withdrawal extremely difficult even under complex negotiations
In the temporary camps, residents recount daily struggles: limited access to food and water, constant fear of airstrikes, and the urgent need for safe shelters. One mother with eight children says, “Even a short ceasefire would give us a chance to rest, even for a few hours
Gaza now stands at a crossroads: hope that a temporary ceasefire may save civilians, balanced against numbers that illustrate the scale of the humanitarian crisis. The pressing question remains: can these diplomatic talks convert fragile hope into tangible results, or will it remain numbers in reports
