Benjamin Netanyahu hopes for progress in hostage situation while families in Gaza grieve for victims

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Benjamin Netanyahu says war with Iran created new chances to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Donald Trump urges swift Gaza ceasefire as Israeli strikes kill over 30, including children.
Gaza witnesses report deadly airstrikes on homes and camps with no prior warning given.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country’s recent war with Iran had created “opportunities” for freeing hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza, where witnesses and rescuers reported more than 30 people killed Sunday.

His comments lifted hope for a new ceasefire in the devastating conflict in the Palestinian territory, after US President Donald Trump said he hoped a truce could be sealed within days.

Israel is bombarding Gaza in a bid to destroy the militant group Hamas after its deadly attack on Israel in October 2023.

Netanyahu said that after his country’s recent “victory” over Iran in their 12-day war, “many opportunities have opened up … first of all, to rescue the hostages.”

“Of course, we will also have to solve the Gaza issue, to defeat Hamas, but I estimate that we will achieve both goals,” he said.

Following the war between Israel and Iran that ended with a ceasefire on 24 June, domestic and diplomatic pressure has risen on Netanyahu to also secure a halt to the fighting in Gaza.

Posting on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump weighed in, writing: “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!”

The US president had said on Friday that he was hoping for a new ceasefire there “within the next week”.

Israeli strikes kill more than 30 people in Gaza

Devastating bombardments continued in Gaza on Sunday, witnesses and rescuers said.

Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said that the day’s toll had risen to 34 people killed in various locations around the Gaza Strip, including at least four children.

The Israeli military said it was not able to comment on the reported strikes but said it was fighting “to dismantle Hamas military capabilities”.

Bassal said two children were killed in an air strike on their home in Gaza City’s Zeitun district in the early morning.

Palestinians carrying children injured in Israeli strike on Gaza on 29 June 2025

Palestinians carry wounded children to al-Ahli Baptist Hospital following Israeli attack on the Sabra neighbourhood in southern Gaza Strip. Source: Getty / Dawoud Abo Alkas

A family member, Abdel Rahman Azzam, 45, told Agence France-Presse he was at home when he “heard a huge explosion at my relative’s house”.

“I rushed out in panic and saw the house destroyed and on fire,” he added.

“We evacuated more than 20 injured people, including two martyrs — two children from the family. The screams of children and women were non-stop,” Azzam said.

“They bombed the house with a missile without any prior warning. This is a horrific crime. We sleep without knowing if we will wake up.”

Elsewhere, Bassal said a drone strike on a tent camp housing displaced people near the southern city of Khan Younis killed five people, including two children.