DOZENS KILLED IN GAZA AS ISRAEL WEIGHS CEASEFIRE PLAN

Officials in the Gaza Strip say dozens have been killed in attacks on Saturday, as Israel prepares to respond to a ceasefire plan that Hamas has agreed to in principle.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA said at least 50 people had been killed in airstrikes and other incidents, with many casualties reported among those desperately queuing for food.

Here are the latest headlines from around Gaza, Israel and the wider Middle East on Saturday, July 5.

Israel weighs response to Hamas truce signal

Israel is considering how to respond to Hamas's positive reaction to the latest US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal.

Israeli media reported on Saturday that the Israeli government had received the Palestinian group's response on the Gaza ceasefire proposal with details currently being examined.

The Security Cabinet is set to meet later on Saturday after the end of the Jewish sabbath at sundown, according to Israeli media reports.

Dozens killed as Israel continues offensive

Sources in the Gaza Strip say that dozens of people have been killed since early on Saturday morning as Israel prosecutes its offensive in the territory.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA said at least 50 people had been killed in airstrikes and other incidents, with many casualties reported among those desperately queuing for food.

Figures varied, with the AP news agency placing the number killed at 24 — 14 in airstrikes and 10.

The AFP news agency put the total number killed at 32, including 8 who had been killed by Israeli fire near an aid distribution hub in southern Gaza.

Gazan authorities reported at least 70 people have been killed in the territory by the Israeli military in the last 24 hours. These were said to include 23 people near aid distribution sites.

Israel's offensive in Gaza since the October 7 terror attacks has killed more than X Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's Health Ministry.

The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but the UN and multiple humanitarian organizations consider the casualty numbers broadly reliable.

Welcome to our coverage

Welcome to our latest updates from Gaza, Israel and the wider Middle East.

As Israel is studying a US-led plan for a ceasefire, the civilian death toll in Gaza was climbing again on Saturday. A proportion of the casualties were among those seeking food in the enclave.

Meawhile, two US workers were injured in an attack on the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in what the group said was a targeted attack.

We'll be providing updates on these stories and others from the region right here.

2025-07-05T18:07:06Z