The Israeli military on Saturday announced the capture of the “Morag axis,” a critical corridor in southern Gaza, as it continued its campaign to control more territory amid the ongoing conflict. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) issued fresh evacuation orders for tens of thousands in Khan Yunis and nearby regions ahead of intensified airstrikes following projectile fire earlier in the day.

Defence Minister Israel Katz addressed the residents of Gaza, stating, “The IDF (military) has now completed its takeover of the Morag axis, which crosses Gaza between Rafah and Khan Yunis, turning the entire area between the Philadelphi Route (along the border with Egypt) and Morag into part of the Israeli security zone.”

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He added, “Soon, IDF operations will intensify and expand to other areas throughout most of Gaza, and you will need to evacuate the combat zones. In northern Gaza as well — in Beit Hanoun and other neighbourhoods — residents are evacuating, the area is being taken over and the security zone is being expanded, including in the Netzarim corridor.”

Ceasefire Talks Gain Momentum in Cairo

While military operations escalated, diplomatic efforts continued to gain traction. A Hamas official informed AFP that the group anticipated “real progress” in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Senior Hamas figures were scheduled to meet Egyptian mediators in Cairo later on Saturday.

“We hope the meeting will achieve real progress towards reaching an agreement to end the war, halt the aggression and ensure the full withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza,” said a Hamas official involved in the negotiations.

Despite reports in Israeli media suggesting that Israel and Egypt had exchanged draft proposals, the Hamas official claimed, “Hamas has not yet received any new ceasefire proposals.” He further emphasized, “However, contacts and discussions with mediators are ongoing,” while accusing Israel of “continuing its aggression” in Gaza.

Escalation in Strikes and Civilian Impact

The Israeli military also confirmed it intercepted three projectiles fired from southern Gaza earlier in the day. Following the incident, residents in Khan Yunis and nearby areas were ordered to evacuate.

“IDF troops are operating with significant force in the area, and will strike with intensity on any location from which rockets are launched,” the military posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. According to the UN, the expanding evacuation orders are leading to the “forcible transfer” of civilians into increasingly crowded areas, raising serious concerns about the long-term viability of the Palestinian population in the region.

Hamas and Egypt Discuss Truce Deal

According to reports by The Times of Israel, Egypt’s truce proposal could involve releasing eight living hostages and eight bodies in exchange for a 40 to 70-day ceasefire and a mass release of Palestinian prisoners.

US President Donald Trump recently said, “we’re getting close to getting them (hostages in Gaza) back,” during a cabinet meeting. Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff added, “a very serious deal is taking shape, it’s a matter of days.”

Rising Death Toll Since Ceasefire Collapse

The war, which reignited after the breakdown of a ceasefire on March 18, has claimed thousands of lives. The Gaza Health Ministry, run by Hamas, reported that 1,563 Palestinians have died since then, pushing the total death toll in Gaza since the conflict began to 50,933.

The UN human rights office stated that dozens of recent strikes have killed “only women and children.” Footage from AFP on Saturday showed four bodies wrapped in white shrouds at a hospital, with mourners offering prayers before the funeral.

The war originally began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed 1,218 people, primarily civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.