Sun May 18 10:53:47 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, written from an Indian perspective focusing on international affairs:
**Israel Signals Openness to Gaza Deal Amid Ongoing Conflict; Civilian Casualties Mount**
**New Delhi – May 18, 2025** – As the conflict in Gaza stretches into its 20th month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated a willingness to consider a deal with Hamas that could potentially end the fighting. This development comes amidst escalating violence, with Israeli strikes reportedly killing at least 103 Palestinians overnight and into Sunday, according to Gaza hospitals and medics. The main hospital in northern Gaza has been forced to close due to the intensified offensive.
Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel is open to a deal contingent on the release of all hostages held by Hamas, the exile of Hamas militants, and the disarmament of the Gaza Strip. Negotiations are currently underway in Doha, involving indirect talks between Israel and Hamas, focusing on a truce and hostage exchange proposal. However, a senior Israeli official has reported little progress in these discussions.
The situation on the ground remains dire. Reports from Nasser Hospital indicate that over 48 people were killed in airstrikes near Khan Younis, including 18 children and 13 women. These strikes reportedly hit houses and tents sheltering displaced individuals. The Israeli military has not directly commented on the overnight strikes but maintains that Hamas’s operations within civilian areas are responsible for civilian casualties.
The latest Israeli offensive, dubbed “Gideon’s Chariots,” aims to seize territory, displace hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to southern Gaza, and exert greater control over aid distribution. This has sparked international concern, particularly regarding the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
An Italian delegation of political, academic, and human rights figures staged a protest at the Rafah border crossing, highlighting the ongoing suffering of civilians caught in the conflict.
The Indian government has consistently called for de-escalation and a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the need for a two-state solution. Observers in India express growing concern over the rising civilian death toll and the potential for further regional instability as the conflict intensifies. The international community continues to closely monitor the situation, urging both sides to prioritize dialogue and adhere to international humanitarian law.
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