Gaza City | June 30, 2025— Northern Gaza endured one of its most intense nights of Israeli bombardment in recent weeks, just hours after the Israeli military issued mass evacuation orders on Monday. As Israeli officials headed to Washington for renewed Gaza ceasefire discussions backed by the Trump administration, the conflict on the ground only deepened.
Despite global diplomatic activity, including President Donald Trump’s fresh push to end the 20-month war, explosions and gunfire echoed through Gaza City, leaving dozens dead and thousands in despair.
Escalation on the Ground Despite Gaza Ceasefire Push
Israeli tanks rolled into eastern Zeitoun, a suburb of Gaza City, while airstrikes hit multiple targets, including four schools. Residents reported that hundreds of families were forced to flee moments before the schools were bombed. “Explosions never stopped; they bombed schools and homes. It felt like earthquakes,” shared Salah, a 60-year-old father of five.
At least 25 people were confirmed dead on Monday alone, including 10 casualties in Zeitoun, according to Palestinian health officials. By nightfall, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis reported 13 more deaths southwest of Gaza City, pushing the day’s total fatalities to 38. Most were hit by gunfire, although residents also cited airstrikes. The Israeli military claimed it targeted Hamas command centers while attempting to minimize civilian harm.
Washington Talks and Diplomatic Impasse On Gaza ceasefire
As the violence escalated, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer arrived in Washington for high-level meetings focused on Iran and Gaza. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet convened in Tel Aviv to deliberate future actions in Gaza.
While Israel agreed to a US-proposed 60-day ceasefire in exchange for a hostage-prisoner swap, Hamas remains firm in its demand for a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. With over 56,000 Palestinians killed and nearly 2.3 million displaced, humanitarian conditions continue to worsen.
Mediators from Qatar and Egypt are ramping up their diplomatic efforts for Gaza ceasefire, although no new round of talks has been scheduled.
Netanyahu Under Pressure Amid Shifting Public Sentiment
Netanyahu’s recent military campaign against Iran momentarily boosted his approval ratings. However, his inability to end the Gaza ceasefire is drawing increasing criticism both domestically and internationally. A Kan public poll revealed that while support for Netanyahu briefly surged, 52% of Israelis still want him to resign. Moreover, nearly two-thirds of respondents favored ending the Gaza campaign.
Thousands of protesters rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday, demanding an immediate Gaza ceasefire and the safe return of hostages. Liri Albag, a hostage freed during a previous truce, urged Netanyahu and President Trump to “make the brave decision to end the war in Gaza.” Similarly, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett criticized the current Gaza strategy as indecisive, calling for a comprehensive agreement to end the conflict.
Activist Gil Dickman emphasized that although the recent strike against Iran may be seen as a military success, Netanyahu’s failure to manage Gaza and secure hostages remains a glaring issue. These sentiments reflect a shifting public mood that increasingly prioritizes peace and humanitarian concerns over continued military action.
As the people of Gaza grapple with catastrophic displacement and destruction, they continue to hope that diplomatic pressure will yield tangible results before more lives are lost. Despite ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks, the persistent Israeli strikes in Gaza and the escalating humanitarian crisis demand immediate and sustained international attention.
The Gaza conflict in 2025 thus remains a critical focus of Middle East peace efforts, as the world watches closely to see whether diplomacy can finally break the cycle of violence and bring lasting relief to millions.
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