Health authorities in the US are unable to respond to calls due to other pressing matters. Israeli tanks have pushed deeper into Gaza City, expanding their incursions in Sabra, Tel Al-Hawa, Sheikh Radwan, and Al-Naser neighbourhoods. A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set for Monday.
The fate of two hostages held by Hamas could cast a shadow over the meeting. The Israeli military has launched a massive ground assault on Gaza City, forcing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to flee to tented camps. The assault aims to destroy Hamas, which has been accused of launching attacks on Israeli territory in October 2023.
Trump’s 21-point Middle East peace plan calls for the return of all Israeli hostages, living and dead, as well as a new dialogue between Israel and Palestinians for peaceful coexistence. Netanyahu has repeatedly said that Hamas must lay down its arms or be defeated.
Hamas has refused to give up its weapons until Palestinians are granted a state. The group’s military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, called on the Israeli military to pull troops back and suspend air strikes so it could retrieve the hostages. However, the Israeli military has made clear that it will not halt its advances.
At least 77 people have been killed by Israeli fire in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Local health authorities have struggled to respond to dozens of desperate calls from trapped residents due to Israel denying rescue requests via international organizations.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/tanks-thrust-deeper-into-gaza-medics-say-many-injured-trapped-2025-09-28