DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike on Saturday resulted in the destruction of a three-story home in Gaza City, leading to the tragic deaths of ten individuals, which included five children and three women. This strike occurred as efforts were being made by Arab mediators to revive a ceasefire, previously disrupted by ongoing Israeli bombardments.
According to health officials, Israeli attacks have led to a reported death toll of at least 49 individuals over the preceding 24 hours. The airstrike, which happened early in the morning in a neighborhood of western Gaza City, resulted in a significant loss of life, as confirmed by Shifa Hospital, which received the victims’ bodies. Eyewitnesses, such as Saed Al-Khour, recounted the harrowing experience of recovering the remains of his loved ones from the wreckage, stating, "There is no one from the resistance among them." He, along with others, stood amidst the ruins, mourning the loss.
In addition to the casualties from the airstrike, three others were killed in the Shati refugee camp located along Gaza City’s shoreline. The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted a Hamas militant, contending that the building where the individual operated subsequently collapsed, while emphasizing that the cause of the collapse remains under review.
The militant group Hamas has reportedly dispatched a high-level delegation to Cairo in an attempt to restore the ceasefire that had been fractured last month due to Israel’s continuous bombardments. Israeli officials have asserted that their military operations will persist until all hostages are safely returned and Hamas is either dismantled or exiled. Additionally, plans are in place to maintain control over certain areas of Gaza indefinitely, as per U.S. proposals regarding the resettlement of the population in other countries. These plans have faced widespread international rejection.
Hamas has maintained that it will only release its hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, an overall Israeli withdrawal, and a sustainable ceasefire—aligned with the long-standing agreement that had been established in January. The militant group has expressed intentions to engage in talks with Egyptian officials regarding their vision for ending the conflict, which involves plans for reconstruction as well.
In recent discussions earlier this week, various Hamas officials had arrived in Cairo to negotiate a proposal that would incorporate a five-to-seven-year truce and the release of all remaining hostages. The Egyptian government, alongside Qatar, is currently crafting this plan, which is expected to detail the gradual withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Gaza and the liberation of Palestinian prisoners, according to anonymous sources involved in the negotiations.
Amidst these events, the ongoing Israeli blockade of Gaza has persisted for nearly two months, resulting in severe shortages of essential supplies, as humanitarian organizations have issued warnings regarding dwindling resources. The World Food Program announced that its food stocks in Gaza have been depleted, which has significantly affected the sustenance of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. It is noted that around 80% of Gaza's population, exceeding two million, mainly relies on charity kitchens for food due to the closure of other supply sources under the blockade. The United Nations continues to advocate for the cessation of the siege, highlighting that nearly 3,000 trucks of humanitarian aid are poised for entry into Gaza.
Furthermore, Hamas has urged the Trump administration to reverse its decision regarding the legal immunity of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, characterizing it as a perilous move by Israel’s close ally. The ongoing Israeli offensive has reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 51,000 Palestinians, with the majority being women and children, though the Gaza Health Ministry has not clarified the distribution of casualties between fighters and civilians. In contrast, Israel claims a death toll of around 20,000 militants, without providing supporting evidence for its assertions.
The current conflict escalated dramatically when Hamas-led militants launched an attack into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of about 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, and the abduction of 251 others. Presently, it is believed that Hamas retains 59 hostages, with 24 reported to be alive, following earlier releases that occurred amid ceasefire agreements.
