During a working dinner at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed ongoing ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip, according to an Al Jazeera correspondent.
Israeli Channel 12 reported a “greater chance than failure” of reaching an agreement through indirect negotiations taking place in Doha. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff stated that the talks were progressing in a “positive direction” toward achieving a quick ceasefire, reports Al-Rai daily.
Hamas reiterated its stance, stressing that it will not accept any plan that geographically divides Gaza or allows continued Israeli presence in the enclave.
On the 650th day of Israel’s military campaign, airstrikes continued to cause devastation among displaced and starving civilians in Gaza, resulting in dozens of casualties.
The Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem confirmed that two women were killed in an Israeli strike on the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic parish in the Gaza Strip. Several others were wounded, including parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli, who sustained minor injuries.
The Patriarchate denounced the attack, calling for an end to the “barbaric war,” stating, “Nothing justifies targeting innocent civilians.”
In response, the Israeli Foreign Ministry claimed it does not deliberately target religious sites and said the incident is under investigation.
In the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV expressed his “deep sorrow” and renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned Israel’s repeated targeting of civilians, calling it unjustifiable under any military rationale.
Medical sources in Gaza reported that at least 30 civilians were killed in Israeli airstrikes since dawn Thursday, including 23 in Gaza City.
