A displaced Palestinian boy looks at smoke rising into the sky following an Israeli military strike in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025.
Israeli airstrikes and gunfire killed at least 57 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, health officials reported. The deadly assault came as Hamas weighed its response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for ending the nearly two-year-long war.
The controversial plan demands Hamas hand over 48 hostages — around 20 believed still alive — while disarming and surrendering power. In return, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and halt its offensive. However, the proposal, already accepted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, offers no pathway to Palestinian statehood.
Many Palestinians view the deal as one-sided. While weary of war, they argue it favors Israel. A Hamas official confirmed to the Associated Press that parts of the plan were unacceptable but declined to elaborate. Mediators Qatar and Egypt have signaled that further negotiations are required.
Heavy Civilian Toll
Casualties mounted across Gaza on Thursday. Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza received 29 bodies, 14 of them killed near a military corridor where humanitarian aid distribution has often turned deadly.
In central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital confirmed 16 more deaths from airstrikes. Among the victims was Omar Hayek, a 42-year-old occupational therapist with Doctors Without Borders. He was killed while waiting for a bus, and four others were wounded. The organization described Hayek as a “quiet man of profound kindness,” noting he was the 14th staffer it has lost in Gaza during the war.
Shifa Hospital in Gaza City reported five more bodies and several wounded arrivals, though medical staff struggled to reach the facility amid Israel’s intensified offensive. Additional hospitals confirmed seven further deaths. The Israeli military gave no immediate comment, reiterating that it targets militants and blames Hamas for operating within civilian areas.
Aid Flotilla Intercepted
Israel intercepted most of the 40-plus vessels in a symbolic flotilla carrying limited humanitarian aid to Gaza. Organizers had aimed to challenge Israel’s 18-year blockade. Among those aboard were climate activist Greta Thunberg and several European lawmakers. Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the passengers were safe and would undergo deportation procedures.
West Bank Violence
Violence also flared in the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces killed one Palestinian militant and arrested another after a car-ramming and shooting at an army checkpoint. The military said no soldiers were injured in the incident.
Hamas’ Response Pending
A senior Hamas official stated that the group’s response to Trump’s proposal would follow consultations with other Palestinian factions. The official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that concerns had already been shared with mediators Qatar and Egypt.
The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 251. While most hostages have since been freed through temporary ceasefires, dozens remain in captivity. Trump’s plan promises humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza, placing its population under international governance — a condition Hamas has yet to accept.
Mounting Humanitarian Crisis
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 66,200 Palestinians and wounded nearly 170,000 others. Women and children account for nearly half of the dead, though the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants. U.N. agencies regard its figures as the most reliable.
Around 400,000 Palestinians have fled famine-stricken Gaza City since Israel launched its latest major offensive last month. Thick smoke rose across northern Gaza on Thursday as civilians fled southward. Israel’s defense minister warned residents still in Gaza City to evacuate immediately, declaring it their “last opportunity” before being treated as militant supporters.
Despite severe losses, Hamas continues sporadic attacks. On Wednesday, seven projectiles were fired from Gaza toward Israel. The military confirmed all were intercepted or landed in open areas, with no casualties reported.
The situation remains precarious. With heavy civilian casualties, a worsening humanitarian crisis, and Hamas’ official response still pending, the future of Trump’s peace proposal hangs in uncertainty.
