Afternoon update | Middle East Eye

Good afternoon,

If you are joining us, here are the latest updates on the situation in Gaza.

• The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israel had killed over 66,000 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip since October 2023.
• Witnesses and medics told Reuters that tanks are advancing deeper into several densely populated neighbourhoods of Gaza City, with hospitals unable to respond to dozens of desperate calls for help.
• US President Donald Trump said on Sunday there is a "real chance for greatness in the Middle East" with a potential peace deal without providing specific details or a timetable, after saying he was close to forging an agreement to end the war in Gaza.
• Hamas's armed wing said it has lost contact with two captives in Gaza during intense fighting. The al-Qassam Brigades demanded Israel halt air sorties for 24 hours in part of Gaza City to remove the captives from danger.
• The Israeli army claimed it had killed five Palestinian fighters as part of its military campaign to take control of Gaza City. In a military update, the army said it struck 140 military targets, including military infrastructure and fighters in Gaza City.