Over 50 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in central and southern Gaza, according to local health officials. This comes amid warnings from officials that Israel's new position on Gaza talks could jeopardize a potential deal. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that dozens of rockets were fired at northern Israel, with Israeli drones striking Nablus in the West Bank in response to the shooting of an IDF soldier at a checkpoint.
The IDF has ordered residents of Khan Yunis' south to evacuate to the Muwasi humanitarian zone. Meanwhile, an Israeli team led by the Mossad chief is set to travel to Rome next week for hostage and cease-fire talks, according to sources.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is currently conducting a situation assessment with Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi and senior security officials following a rocket strike in Majdal Shams. Israeli medical services reported that nine people, aged between 10 and 20, were killed in the Golan Heights' Majdal Shams due to the rocket impact. Magen David Adom reported 11 casualties, with five in critical condition and six in serious condition, including children. The projectile fell near a soccer field and playground in the city, marking the most severe incident of harm to northern Israeli civilians since the war began.
Protests demanding the release of hostages and early elections are scheduled across Israel on Saturday evening, coinciding with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the U.S. and the Knesset's upcoming recess. On Sunday, a demonstration is expected at Ben Gurion Airport around the time of Netanyahu's return. Ahead of the protests, some hostage family members gave a statement to the press outside Israel's defense ministry complex, amid ongoing negotiations and reports from Haaretz about Netanyahu's efforts to block the deal.
At the main rally at Hostages Square, Tel Aviv Museum of Art Plaza, speeches will be given by relatives of two hostages whose bodies were returned to Israel this week: Gal Goren, son of Mia Goren, murdered in Nir Oz, and Maya Achimas, sister of IDF Staff Sergeant Tomer Achimas, killed in the battle for Kibbutz Nirim. Protests will also be held near Netanyahu's private residence in Caesarea, and in Haifa, Jerusalem, Be'er Sheva, and over a dozen other locations across the country.
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