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Netanyahu said Israel is working with Trump on a ceasefire plan as Gaza's death toll surpasses 66,000. Pressure builds globally while fighting continues, with Israel striking Gaza and violence flaring in the West Bank.
Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on the Macca Tower, a high-rise building in Gaza City, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, following a prior warning issued by the Israeli army. (Photo: AP)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 29, 2025 06:19 IST
On the eve of a White House meeting with President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalled that Israel is working with Washington on a ceasefire proposal — though he stressed the details are far from settled.
“We’re working on it,” Netanyahu told Fox News on Sunday. “It’s not been finalised yet, but we’re working with President Trump’s team, actually as we speak, and I hope we can make it a go.”
The comments come as pressure mounts on Israel to end the war in Gaza, where the local health ministry says the death toll has now passed 66,000. The Hamas-run ministry does not separate civilians from militants, but says women and children make up roughly half of the dead — figures widely regarded as credible by the UN and independent monitors.
Arab officials briefed on the plan say the 21-point proposal would call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages within 48 hours, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Trump is expected to put the plan on the table during Monday’s meeting with Netanyahu.
The proposal is still fluid. Arab diplomats say revisions are likely, but it has already been circulated among regional leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York. Hamas says it has been informally briefed but not formally approached by mediators. A Hamas official said the group is ready to “study any proposals positively and responsibly,” while noting it has previously offered to release hostages in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal.
Netanyahu continues to insist that Israel will fight until Hamas is eliminated. Yet he repeated a conditional offer on Sunday: Hamas fighters could leave Gaza if they end the war and free all hostages. “If they finish the war, release all the hostages, we let them out,” he said.
That stance has done little to quiet critics. European governments are openly considering sanctions. Several countries have recognised a Palestinian state against Israel’s objections. Cultural and sports boycotts are gathering steam. Even Trump, who has been Israel’s strongest backer, has shown signs of impatience — particularly after Israel’s strike on Hamas’ political offices in Doha earlier this month.
While leaders trade proposals, Gaza remains under relentless fire. Residents of Gaza City reported hours of nonstop explosions overnight. Local hospitals said strikes on the Nuseirat refugee camp killed at least 10 people. Israel later confirmed it had struck 140 Hamas targets in the last 24 hours, including fighters and infrastructure.
On Sunday, the army also levelled the 16-story Macca Tower in Gaza City, saying the high-rise was used by Hamas for military purposes. Residents were warned to evacuate before the strike, and no casualties were reported.
The offensive has razed swaths of Gaza and displaced nearly 90% of its population. Humanitarian experts now say parts of Gaza City are in famine.
- Ends
With inputs from Associated Press
Published By:
Rivanshi Rakhrai
Published On:
Sep 29, 2025
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