In response to ongoing violence between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants, the Israeli military has announced the acquisition of "operational control" over eastern areas of Bureij refugee camp and the town of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. The military stated that the operation aims to target "terrorists and terrorist infrastructure above and below ground", with troops supported by airstrikes.

Reported by residents, the bombardment in the area has been intense, resulting in a high number of casualties. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has reported that at least 70 people, mostly women and children, have been brought to a local hospital since Tuesday. This adds to the already staggering death toll in Gaza, with at least 36,580 people killed according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, US, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators have convened meetings in Doha and Cairo to discuss a new ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas. The US has revealed that it is still awaiting a response from Hamas regarding a proposal outlined by US President Joe Biden last week. Qatar has delivered the plan to Hamas representatives but is also waiting for a clear position from the Israeli government.

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh has stated that the group will approach any proposal based on ending the war and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza "seriously and positively". However, Israel's prime minister has emphasized that there will be no permanent ceasefire until Hamas is defeated and the hostages are released. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant further declared that "all negotiations with Hamas will be conducted under fire."

Bureij, one of Gaza's historic refugee camps, has witnessed the recent military operation, along with Deir al-Balah and the nearby Nuseirat and Maghazi refugee camps. These areas are currently hosting a significant number of displaced individuals who fled from other parts of Gaza due to ongoing fighting. In previous months, the Israeli Defense Forces conducted a prolonged ground operation against Hamas in central Gaza's camps.

According to the IDF, the current targeted operation in Bureij and Deir al-Balah is focused on dismantling terrorist infrastructure located away from the Israel-Gaza border, both above and below ground. Through aerial strikes, the IDF claims to have eliminated several Hamas terrorists and destroyed rocket and mortar launchers, as well as discovered underground tunnel shafts.

Witnesses from Bureij have described the situation as extremely difficult, with shells falling from all sides, leading to the deaths of several civilians. Many families have been forced to leave their homes to protect themselves and their children. The intensification of the conflict has resulted in further casualties, with Palestinian news agency Wafa reporting at least 11 deaths from Israeli airstrikes on homes in Maghazi, as well as casualties in other areas.

Médecins Sans Frontières has painted a devastating picture of the healthcare situation in central Gaza. Medical teams at Deir al-Balah's al-Aqsa hospital have described it as "apocalyptic", with the majority of the 70 deceased individuals and 300 wounded being women and children. The medical staff are overwhelmed, treating severe burns, shrapnel wounds, fractures, and other traumatic injuries.

As the violence continues, the situation remains uncertain. Efforts from mediators to secure a new ceasefire and hostage release deal are ongoing. However, until the demands from both sides are met, the conflict shows no signs of abating, leaving the people of Gaza caught in the crossfire of a devastating crisis.