Israel Orders Mass Evacuations in Gaza as Strikes Escalate, Trump Presses for Ceasefire
GAZA — Israel has instructed civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate as military operations intensified over the weekend. At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump renewed calls for a ceasefire and a deal to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Residents in Gaza City and Jabalia received evacuation orders from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to move toward al-Mawasi, a narrow coastal area in southern Gaza previously designated a “humanitarian zone.” However, airstrikes on that zone killed five members of the Maarouf family, including three children, early Sunday morning, according to the victims’ relatives.
“They bombed us while we were sleeping on the ground,” said Iman Abu Maarouf. “My children were killed, and the rest are in intensive care.”
The IDF said it could not confirm details of the incident without further information but stated that it adheres to international law and attempts to minimize civilian harm.
The Hamas-run health ministry reported at least 86 deaths across Gaza in the previous 24 hours. Gaza’s civil defense agency confirmed 23 fatalities on Sunday alone, while medics and local residents said multiple homes were destroyed in overnight bombardments.
A 20-year-old IDF soldier, Sergeant Yisrael Natan Rosenfeld, was also killed during combat operations in the northern sector, according to the Israeli military.
President Trump posted on Truth Social over the weekend, saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “negotiating a deal with Hamas right now.” Trump again called for leaders to “make the deal in Gaza” and “get the hostages back.”
Mediators, including Qatari officials, are attempting to restart talks for a new ceasefire. A senior Hamas figure said discussions remain stalled, despite mounting pressure from the U.S. and its allies. Qatar, which played a central role in brokering the recent Iran-Israel truce, is reportedly working to facilitate further negotiations.
Netanyahu, addressing Israel’s domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet, said defeating Hamas remained a priority. He also described the recent military success against Iran as opening new “regional opportunities,” including the chance to rescue hostages held in Gaza.
Trump has expressed hope that a ceasefire could be reached within days, but past efforts have failed to hold. The most recent ceasefire, initiated in January, collapsed in March after Israel resumed strikes, citing Hamas’s failure to release remaining hostages.
At the start of March, Israel also halted humanitarian aid into Gaza. Following warnings of mass starvation from international experts, Israel partially reopened supply lines after 11 weeks. The U.S. and Israel then backed the creation of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to manage aid.
UN agencies have criticized GHF’s system, calling it unsafe for civilians. Juliette Touma, a senior UN official, called the arrangement “a killing field,” stating that aid distribution must be led by humanitarian groups with experience on the ground.
GHF’s Johnnie Moore admitted that deaths had occurred near aid distribution points but rejected claims that the organization was directly responsible.
Meanwhile, Trump has called for the dismissal of ongoing corruption charges against Netanyahu, calling them a “political witch hunt” and suggesting they hinder progress toward a ceasefire. An Israeli court granted Netanyahu’s request to delay his testimony due to security concerns. He faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, which he denies.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid responded that Trump “should not interfere in the legal process of a sovereign nation.”
The current conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale assault on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s military response has resulted in more than 56,500 deaths in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
As of Sunday, there is no confirmed date for renewed ceasefire talks.
