86 people killed in Gaza as Israel seeks to divide enclave

CAIRO – 4 April 2025: Israeli bombardment has killed 86 people and injuries to 287 more in Gaza over the past 24 hours, according to the health ministry in the enclave, as the war continues into its 18th month.

The latest fatalities raise the total death toll since the war began on 7 October 2023 to 50,609, predominantly women and children, with injuries reported at 115,063, based on the ministry's tally.

Israel is applying tremendous pressure on Hamas to achieve Gaza war objectives, including the return of all captives and the dismantling of Hamas’ governing and military capabilities.

On 18 March, Israel shattered a two-month Gaza ceasefire brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, resuming one the century’s bloodiest conflicts.

Qatar has condemned allegations circulating about its payment of funds to undermine the efforts of Egypt or any other mediator in the mediation process between Hamas and Israel#Egypt #Africa #MENAhttps://t.co/TvEW5zIGDa

— Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) April 4, 2025

During the initial phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 38 captives, including 30 alive, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The movement still holds 59 captives, with at least 22 believed to be alive.

Hamas has expressed its willingness to release all captives in one go in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent end to the war.

The movement has repeatedly emphasized that Israel can only recover its captives through negotiations, while Israel insists on using military force.

This week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to seize more Gazan territory and “divide” the enclave by taking control of the Morag route, which separates Rafah from Khan Younis.

“Tonight, we have shifted gears in the Gaza Strip. The [Israeli army] is seizing territory, hitting the terrorists, and destroying the infrastructure,” Netanyahu stated in a video message on Wednesday.

“We are also doing another thing—seizing the ‘Morag route.’ This will be the second Philadelphi route, another Philadelphi route,” he added, in reference to the corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border.

Israel took control of this corridor earlier during the war despite Egypt’s rejection, undermining the nearly half-century-old peace treaty between the two countries.

“We are currently dividing up the strip, adding pressure step by step, so that our hostages will be returned to us,” Netanyahu said.

Egypt’s Journalists Syndicate has condemned recent “provocative statements” made by Israeli officials regarding Sinai, urging a comprehensive review and immediate suspension of the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel.#مصر_ترفض_التهجير #Egypt #Palestine #MiddleEast… pic.twitter.com/ksDSLpL0bA

— Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) April 4, 2025