Israeli forces continued their relentless assault on Gaza City on Monday ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's crucial meeting with Donald Trump to discuss the US president's Gaza peace plan. Hamas's armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, said on Sunday that it had lost contact with a group holding two captives in Gaza City and asked for Israel to halt its air campaign for 24 hours. At least 66,005 Palestinians have been killed and 168,162 others wounded by Israeli forces since 7 October 2023, according to the Gaza health ministry. The campaign came after an Israeli staff sergeant was killed near the illegal settlement of Kedumim when a Palestinian truck driver drove into him. The driver was shot and killed by Israeli forces.