Israel advanced its ground forces in Gaza as part of a long-threatened all-out offensive against Hamas, and said the new action prompted the group to resume mediated negotiations on a possible ceasefire and hostage release. The freeing by Hamas this week of Israeli American hostage Edan Alexander, at the behest of Donald Trump as the U.S. president embarked on a Gulf visit, stirred new hopes of a deal to wind down the 19-month-old war, which began in Gaza and has ignited other fronts, including Lebanon. That’s raised doubts about the possibility of reaching another truce, even as the Palestinian death toll from the war has passed 53,000, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties.
Author: Bloomberg News
Published at: 2025-05-17 20:37:47
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