Israel-Hamas war: Gaza death toll passes 58,000; ceasefire talks drag on

The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has crossed 58,000 since the war began 21 months ago, according to the territory’s health ministry as reported by Associated Press. The ministry does not separate civilians from fighters in its count but says more than half of those killed are women and children.

The number of deaths is rising as Israel and Hamas continue to discuss a US-backed ceasefire.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 19 people, including six children who were at a water collection point, local health officials said, as quoted by AP. This happened despite efforts by mediators to push for a ceasefire.

Talks between Israel and Hamas have yet to make progress toward an agreement to pause the war and release some of the Israeli hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington last week to discuss the proposal with the Trump administration. A new disagreement has come up regarding the presence of Israeli troops during the ceasefire, raising concerns about whether a deal is possible.

Israel wants to keep troops in a key land corridor in southern Gaza. Hamas sees this demand as a sign that Israel plans to continue the war after any temporary ceasefire ends.

Israel has said it will stop the war only if Hamas surrenders, disarms, and leaves Gaza. Hamas has rejected these conditions. It says it is ready to release the remaining 50 Israeli hostages, fewer than half of whom are believed to be alive, in return for a full Israeli withdrawal and an end to the war.

Meanwhile, violence has also increased in the Israeli-occupied West Bank during the Gaza war. On Sunday, funerals were held for two Palestinians, including 20-year-old Palestinian-American Sayfollah Musallet, AP reported. He was killed in an attack by Israeli settlers, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.