A humanitarian group says 20 people died on Wednesday, July 16, during a food distribution event in Gaza, the latest in a series of deadly incidents involving civilians seeking aid. According to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF),

Hamas is seeking guarantees that a new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza would lead to the war's end, a source close to the militant group said on Thursday, as medics said Israeli strikes across the territory had killed scores more people.

Loud blasts and explosions in Gaza was seen from southern Israel in the wee hours of Wednesday July 16. The blasts occurred as hopes for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas hang in the balance.

A total of 50 hostages remain in the Gaza Strip of the 251 people abducted by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people. Israeli authorities say 20 of the hostages are still alive. Hamas-run health authorities report over 57,000 Palestinian deaths since 2023 in the Israel's response.

Hamas says it has given a “positive” response to the latest proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza but says further talks are needed on implementation

Hamas said it had responded on in "a positive spirit" to a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire proposal and was prepared to enter into talks.

President Donald Trump previously said Israel had agreed to a ceasefire deal, but Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu still has not confirmed Trump’s claim.

At least 20 Palestinians died in a stampede at a Gaza aid site amid Israel’s blockade and a deepening humanitarian crisis.