Palestinian Death Toll Tops 66,000 as Netanyahu Prepares to Meet Trump
The death toll in the Israel-Hamas conflict has surpassed 66,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, with the situation escalating ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with US President Donald Trump to discuss halting the offensive. The humanitarian crisis is dire, with medical staff struggling to provide aid to those affected.
The meeting between Netanyahu and Trump is set to take place at the White House on Monday, despite mounting international pressure on Netanyahu to end the war. According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's office, the talks will focus on finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict, which has seen widespread destruction and loss of life in Gaza City.
The death toll of 66,000 Palestinians marks a significant escalation of the conflict, with the number of casualties continuing to rise despite efforts by humanitarian organizations to provide aid. Dr. Paul Ransom, a British doctor working with the UK-Med medical NGO, described the situation as "devastating" and called for an immediate end to hostilities.
"We are seeing a massive influx of patients, many of whom have been injured in airstrikes or shelling," Dr. Ransom said. "The medical staff here are doing their best to provide care, but it's clear that more needs to be done to address the humanitarian crisis."
According to reports from the field, Israeli security forces shot dead an alleged attacker on Sunday in a car-ramming incident that left one man injured. The incident is just one of many reported attacks and counter-attacks between Israel and Hamas in recent days.
The international community has been calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, with world leaders urging Netanyahu to end the war. In a statement released over the weekend, the United Nations called on both sides to "exercise restraint" and work towards a negotiated settlement.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, humanitarian organizations are warning of a growing crisis in Gaza City. The UK-Med medical NGO has reported that its field hospital is overwhelmed with patients, many of whom require urgent medical attention.
"We are doing everything we can to provide care, but it's clear that more needs to be done to address the humanitarian crisis," Dr. Ransom said. "We urge all parties involved to work towards a peaceful resolution and an end to hostilities."
The meeting between Netanyahu and Trump is seen as a critical moment in the conflict, with many hoping that the talks will lead to a significant shift in the situation on the ground. However, with the death toll continuing to rise and the humanitarian crisis deepening, it remains to be seen whether the talks will have any lasting impact.
Background:
The Israel-Hamas conflict has been ongoing for several weeks, with both sides trading accusations of aggression and violence. The conflict has resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life in Gaza City, with many residents forced to flee their homes due to the fighting.
Next Steps:
The meeting between Netanyahu and Trump is set to take place on Monday at the White House. The talks are expected to focus on finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but it remains to be seen whether any significant progress will be made.
Sources:
Gaza's Health Ministry
Israeli Prime Minister's office
UK-Med medical NGO
United Nations
This story was compiled from reports by NPR Politics, NPR News and BREAKING: NPR News.
