White House pushes for a Gaza halt but Israel pushes for 'full control'

WASHINGTON, DC: The White House is stepping up pressure on Israel to halt its military offensive in Gaza, according to Palestinian officials, as President Donald Trump intensifies diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire and revive negotiations in the region.

The renewed push comes after Trump signaled there would be no immediate US strikes on Iran, instead emphasizing diplomacy and another round of talks aimed at reaching a lasting agreement.

Hamas says ceasefire hinges on Israeli halt to attacks

Attention has now shifted to Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes have continued despite Trump announcing a breakthrough in ceasefire efforts three days ago.

In one of the latest attacks, a family of three was killed in an overnight strike near Gaza City, according to a Palestinian hospital director.

A senior Hamas official told CNN that the group remains committed to disarmament, but only if Israel agrees to a ceasefire and meets other conditions.

"The coming hours will be a test of seriousness, not intentions," the official said, adding that the White House had made "notable moves" in recent hours to advance a ceasefire agreement first reached nearly 10 months ago.

Palestinian figures claim White House intensifying diplomatic efforts

Former Palestinian Authority leader Mohammed Dahlan, who is based in the United Arab Emirates, claimed on Facebook that Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, was working with Israeli officials to stop the attacks on Gaza.

While Dahlan's political influence is disputed, he has maintained ties with successive US administrations. The White House and the State Department are yet to respond to the claim.

Israel has not publicly indicated any change in its military strategy. Energy Minister Eli Cohen said there was no agreement to halt operations in Gaza and argued that Israel should take full control of the territory, despite already controlling about 70% of the Strip, according to Reuters.

The renewed diplomatic activity comes amid mounting international concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where aid agencies have repeatedly warned of worsening shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies.

Mediators including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar have spent months attempting to bridge differences between Israel and Hamas over a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the future governance of the enclave.

While previous negotiations have produced temporary pauses in fighting, efforts to secure a permanent truce have repeatedly collapsed over disagreements on security guarantees, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the terms for ending the conflict.