Israel-Gaza latest: Ceasefire push, soldier deaths and a controversial visit

US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House today, as the US pushes for a new ceasefire in Gaza.

Speaking to reporters, Netanyahu said America and Israel were working with other countries to offer Palestinians a "better future", suggesting that residents of Gaza could relocate to neighbouring nations.

Trump said he believed both Hamas and Israel "want to have that ceasefire" in Gaza, and confirmed the US would resume talks with Iran following last month’s American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, saying: "We have scheduled Iran talks, and they want to talk".

Netanyahu also used the occasion to announce he had nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, saying: "I think we can work out a peace between us and the entire Middle East with President Trump's leadership."

The White House meeting comes just hours after Netanyahu was informed of a deadly incident in northern Gaza. A roadside bomb in Beit Hanoun killed five Israeli soldiers and wounded 14 others, two of whom are in serious condition.

According to an initial IDF investigation, the infantry soldiers were on foot when the device detonated shortly after 10pm on Monday. During the extraction of casualties, the unit came under fire. The military said the area had been targeted from the air ahead of the operation.

The current ceasefire deal being negotiated — put forward by Qatari mediators — would see Hamas release ten living hostages and the bodies of 18 deceased over a 60-day period, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners. The remaining 22 hostages would be freed if a longer-term deal is reached.

The 60-day truce would also serve as a window for negotiations on a permanent end to hostilities and a post-war governance plan for Gaza.

The new proposal includes stronger assurances from the US to keep Israel at the negotiating table during — and potentially after — the truce period, according to an Israeli official and a source familiar with the negotiations. It also commits Israel to allowing a surge of aid into Gaza through traditional humanitarian channels, rather than the controversial Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

According to sources, Israel and Hamas are expected to enter “proximity talks” soon, where both parties remain in the same location, passing messages through mediators. One of the key issues under negotiation will be the timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza during the ceasefire.

While Hamas said it submitted a “positive” response to the proposal and is prepared to begin proximity talks immediately, mediators say the group has outlined three reservations on core issues:

Israel has rejected these proposed changes. A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said: “The changes Hamas wants to make to the Qatari proposal were handed to us last night and are not acceptable to Israel.”

However, Netanyahu agreed to continue negotiations, and Israeli delegates will travel to Qatar on Sunday for further talks.

Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Monday that he has instructed the IDF to prepare a plan to establish a “humanitarian city” on the ruins of Rafah to house Gaza’s entire population.

According to Katz, the plan involves relocating around 600,000 Palestinians, mainly from the al-Muwasi area, into a secured zone following security screenings. Once relocated, residents would not be permitted to leave. The IDF would secure the perimeter but not administer aid or services.

Israel is seeking international partners to manage the zone, with the plan being overseen by the Defence Ministry’s Director General and former IDF Deputy Chief of Staff, Amir Baram.

Reuters also reported that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the US and Israel, has proposed establishing "Humanitarian Transit Areas" both inside Gaza and potentially outside, to house displaced Palestinians. The $2 billion plan was reportedly submitted to the Trump administration and discussed in the White House. The camps are described as “voluntary”, with aims to help Palestinians “temporarily reside, de-radicalise, re-integrate, and prepare to relocate if they wish.”

On Thursday, Netanyahu visited Kibbutz Nir Oz for the first time — 636 days after the October 7, 2023 massacre. Nearly a quarter of the community’s population (117 residents) were killed or kidnapped during the attack — nine remain held in Gaza.

Despite the devastation, government officials including Netanyahu had until now avoided visiting Nir Oz. During the visit, Netanyahu and his wife Sara walked through destroyed homes, speaking with residents and family members.

His arrival was met with a mix of courtesy and protest. Demonstrators at the entrance held signs calling him “Mr. Abandonment” and shouted accusations of corruption and neglect. Haaretz columnist Yossi Verter questioned the timing and motivation behind the visit, calling it “a PR stunt” and claiming Netanyahu had avoided the kibbutz for political reasons.

In a moment that drew particularly attention, Netanyahu hugged Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan is still being held in Gaza and is known for her vocal criticism of the Prime Minister.

Danny Elgarat, whose brother Itzik was killed in captivity and whose body was returned during the last ceasefire, confronted Netanyahu with a photo. Elgarat said the Prime Minister didn’t recognise him and had to ask Gal Hirsch, Israel’s hostage envoy, who he was.

Reuma Kedem, who lost her daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren in the attack, condemned the visit, saying: “The blood of my family is on your hands.”

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is launching a second boat, Handala, from Italy this week in an effort to break Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza. The vessel carries lawyers, medics, activists, journalists, and humanitarian aid.

The group says the mission is meant to raise awareness of Gaza’s dire humanitarian crisis, particularly the impact on children, who make up over half the population. The boat is named after Handala, a cartoon character symbolising Palestinian resistance and refugee identity.

Their previous vessel, Madleen, was intercepted by Israeli forces in June. Its passengers — including Greta Thunberg and several European MPs — were detained and later deported.

Israel labelled the voyage a media stunt, but activists allege mistreatment and claim they were forced to watch footage of the October 7 attacks as a form of psychological abuse.

Eternal war: Israel is marching straight into the trap of 'seizing' Gaza (Zvi Bar’el, Haaretz)

Netanyahu's overdue visit to the epicenter of his October 7 disgrace was a pointless PR trip (Yossi Verter, Haaretz)

Anger, protests, tears and courtesy as Netanyahu finally visits Nir Oz, worst-hit Oct. 7 kibbutz (Times of Israel)

Netanyahu has found a new and absurd reason to blow up the Gaza ceasefire deal (Amir Tibon, Haaretz)

Gaza’s life-saving generators face sputtering halt as fuel blockade enters fifth month (Times of Israel)