Gaza Conflict: Death Toll Nears 30,000

Fighting raged in the Gaza Strip, where the reported death toll in the almost five-month Israel-Hamas war neared 30,000 as mediators insisted a truce could be just days away.

The Hamas-ruled territory's health ministry reported another 91 deaths in overnight Israeli bombardment, while UN agencies sounded the alarm on dire humanitarian conditions and looming famine in Gaza's north.

Mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been seeking a six-week pause in the war sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel, which in response vowed to eliminate the Palestinian Islamist group that rules in Gaza.

While Israel's plans for post-war Gaza exclude any mention of the Palestinian Authority, its top ally the United States and other powers have called for a revitalized PA to take charge of the territory as well as occupied the West Bank.

After a flurry of diplomacy, mediators said a truce deal could finally be within reach -- reportedly including the release of some Israeli hostages held in Gaza since Hamas's October 7 attack in exchange for several hundred Palestinian detainees held by Israel.

Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas chief said "The intensification of the Zionist aggression that the West Bank is witnessing has begun to establish a comprehensive displacement plan in the West Bank."

"This is an appeal to our people in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the occupied territories to march on to Al-Aqsa from the first day of Ramadan," he added.

The Israeli military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 29,954 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest health ministry figures.

It was launched in response to Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel which resulted in the deaths of around 1,160 people, mostly civilians.