Israeli Forces Kill Palestinian in Gaza Ahead of Critical Ceasefire Summit

A Palestinian man was fatally shot by Israeli forces in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday. The incident, reported by the Palestinian news agency WAFA, took place in the Maen area of Khan Younis. Further details regarding the circumstances of the killing were not immediately provided.

This development comes as a high-stakes peace summit is set to begin in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The gathering, co-chaired by US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, aims to halt the war in Gaza and foster regional stability. The guest list includes more than 20 world leaders, such as the presidents of Türkiye, France, and Pakistan, alongside European heads of government and Middle Eastern monarchs.

The summit follows President Trump's announcement of a 20-point ceasefire plan, which he said was agreed upon by Israel and Hamas. The initial phase, which included a prisoner exchange and a partial Israeli withdrawal, reportedly took effect last Friday. The subsequent phase of the agreement outlines plans for a new governing body in Gaza without Hamas' involvement and the group's eventual disarmament.

The persistent conflict, which escalated in October 2023, has resulted in a devastating number of Palestinian casualties. Over 67,600 people, a majority being women and children, have been killed in Israeli attacks, leaving the Gaza Strip largely destroyed and uninhabitable.