October 1, 2026
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel pressed its offensive in Gaza on Wednesday, as the world awaited Hamas' response to U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan for the embattled territory.
Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians and wounded nearly 170,000 others, according to claims by the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and militants in its toll.
The war was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack on southern Israel, in which terrorists killed some 1,200 people and abducted 250 others. Most of the hostages have been freed under previous ceasefire deals, but 48 are estimated to be still held in Gaza — 20 believed by Israel to be still alive.
On Tuesday, Qatar said that further talks were needed over details of Trump’s proposal for ending the nearly two-year war in Gaza. Hamas said it would study the plan, both within the group and with other Palestinian factions, before responding.
The plan, which has received wide international support, requires Hamas to release hostages, leave power in Gaza, and disarm in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners and an end to fighting. The plan guarantees the flow of humanitarian aid and promises reconstruction in Gaza, placing it and its more than 2 million Palestinians under international governance. However, it sets no path to Palestinian statehood.
The Palestinian government in the occupied West Bank said earlier it welcomed the plan, as did the governments of Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
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