As mediators gather in Egypt for indirect peace talks between Hamas and Israel, the Gaza Strip continues to endure relentless Israeli air strikes, leaving scores of civilians dead.

US President Donald Trump urged all parties involved in the talks to “move fast,” warning that delays could result in massive bloodshed. The discussions, scheduled to begin Monday in Cairo, follow Hamas’ conditional acceptance of parts of a 20-point US peace plan, which includes the release of hostages and a temporary handover of Gaza governance to Palestinian technocrats. However, Hamas has refused to concede its disarmament or accept any permanent removal from Gaza’s governance, maintaining its principled stance in defense of Palestinian sovereignty.

“Time is of the essence or massive bloodshed will follow,” Trump wrote on social media, while also claiming the talks had been “very successful.”

Despite the proposed peace plan, Israeli air strikes and tank fire continued overnight, targeting residential areas in Gaza City. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, 65 Palestinians were killed in just 24 hours, reflecting the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged territory.

Israeli officials have claimed that certain strikes were defensive, yet there is still no ceasefire in place, leaving civilians exposed to repeated attacks. Explosions and plumes of smoke were reported across Gaza, with hundreds of families forced to flee their homes amid the destruction.

The 20-point plan, spearheaded by the Trump administration, proposes an immediate end to hostilities and the release of 48 hostages, only 20 of whom are believed to be alive, in exchange for hundreds of detained Palestinians. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled that hostages might be freed in the coming days, Palestinians warn that continued bombing jeopardizes any progress.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that bombardment must stop to allow for hostage release, but the continuation of attacks underscores Israel’s ongoing aggression against Gaza.

Hamas’ decision to enter talks without preconditions has been interpreted as a tactical move under pressure from Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators. The group’s chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, along with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, will participate in the high-stakes discussions.

A senior Palestinian official noted that Hamas’ willingness to leave contentious issues—such as its weapons and post-war governance—for negotiation reflects the group’s recognition of limited leverage after nearly two years of continuous Israeli aggression.

Every day of delay translates into more deaths, destruction, and displacement for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians trapped under siege.

As indirect talks commence, Gazans continue to bear the brunt of Israel’s military operations, highlighting the urgent need for genuine international pressure to halt the occupation’s crimes and respect Palestinian rights. (ILKHA)