Gaza War Live Updates: UN Confirms Over 66k Dead So Far
The United Nations confirmed that the toll among Palestinians in Gaza has risen above 66,000 since October 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry and remarks from UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric during the daily briefing at the World Bank. He stressed that civilians must never be targeted and urged strict adherence to international humanitarian law to protect lives in the crowded enclave as fighting continues to devastate cities, hospitals, and schools.
The UN call for protection of civilians comes as a grim reminder that the humanitarian convention remains the primary standard for warring parties, even as political calculations intensify across capitals. In Gaza, healthcare facilities struggle to cope with casualties, shortages, and disrupted supply chains, complicating what many observers describe as a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in real time.
Global reactions and diplomatic moves
Kushner row and the White House’s defense
A question to the White House press secretary about Jared Kushner’s role in Middle East diplomacy drew a sharp response. The spokesperson defended Kushner’s involvement, calling him “widely respected” and highlighting his work with Gulf partners after significant private investment. The exchange underscored the sensitivity and political theater surrounding high-level peace initiatives, illustrating how personal and familial ties can become flashpoints in the diplomacy of a volatile region.
Brazil backs the Trump peace plan
In Brasília, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira signaled full support for the Trump plan, describing it as largely aligned with Brazil’s own positions in international forums, including the UN Security Council. Vieira stressed that the plan’s objectives—prisoner releases, an immediate ceasefire, Gaza reconstruction, and respect for human rights—mirror Brazil’s long-standing calls for a political pathway to end the conflict with safeguards for civilian life.
London and the secretive back channel
British media have reported that Keir Starmer’s government, working behind the scenes with former prime minister Tony Blair’s team, helped shape the 20-point plan. Citing sources from a report based on a Foreign Office leak, the coverage suggests a London role in bridging gaps with the White House, Israel, and Gulf monarchies. While officials have framed this as prudent diplomacy, critics warn that such behind-the-scenes editing could mask deeper disagreements about sovereignty, security guarantees, and regional balance.
The regional spillover: Lebanon and beyond
UN findings on Lebanon
The UN Office for Human Rights reported 103 civilian deaths in Lebanon since the November 2024 ceasefire with Israel, with ongoing airstrikes and drone activity endangering communities near the border. The High Commissioner urged renewed commitment to a durable ceasefire and emphasized that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected under international humanitarian law. The Lebanese experience underlines how a Gaza-focused accord could reverberate across borders, weaving a broader regional security challenge into any peace plan.
Hamas, negotiations, and internal debates
Planned modifications to the plan
Various Hamas sources say the movement is prepared to seek clarifications and potentially modify certain clauses, especially those related to disarmament and the future governance of Gaza. Reports describe two internal camps within Hamas: one favoring conditional acceptance with robust international guarantees, another wary of concessions. Negotiators are awaiting a concrete response within a short window as mediation continues in Doha, Cairo, and Ankara, with mediators urging swift clarity to avoid stalling the process.
Israel and the battlefield administration
Discipline and risk management
In a rare domestic development, four soldiers from the Nahal Brigade were sentenced to ten days in detention for refusing to take part in a daylight mission in a high-risk corridor of Gaza with an unarmored Humvee. Israeli officials defended the operation as part of a carefully managed risk framework, while critics argued that the incident underscores the intense pressures soldiers face in a protracted urban conflict.
Hostages, timelines, and a possible path forward
Several outlets have reported divergent timelines for hostage releases tied to the Trump plan. Some sources indicate a 72-hour window after formal acceptance by Israel, with negotiators pressing for rapid progress while guaranteeing that actions respect international humanitarian norms and protect civilian rights. The gap between rhetoric and the on-the-ground reality remains a central obstacle to securing a durable ceasefire and a sustainable political settlement.
Regional politics and domestic reactions
Amid the turbulence, Mexican lawmakers from Morena withdrew from forming a Mexico-Israel Friendship Group in protest of the Gaza violence, reflecting a broader trend of rising scrutiny of foreign policy steps tied to the conflict. In parallel, Axios reported a presidential order signaling heightened US security commitments to Qatar—a move described as resembling NATO Article 5 in its scope—aimed at deterring aggression against critical Gulf partners. In Israel, leadership stressed that any redeployment or withdrawal from Gaza would be tied to clear strategic gains and security guarantees rather than a mere concession.
What to watch next
Analysts caution that the crucial test will be whether all parties can translate public commitments into verifiable steps: a credible ceasefire, protection for civilians and infrastructure, and a framework that could eventually support a two-state solution or another durable political arrangement. The coming days will determine whether diplomacy can outpace the violence on the ground and pave a path toward lasting stability in a region exhausted by conflict.
