Israeli Strikes Kill Dozens in Gaza as Ceasefire Talks Gain Momentum
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — At least 72 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza overnight and into Saturday, health officials reported, as diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire showed signs of progress after 21 months of devastating conflict.
Among the dead were three children and their parents, struck while sleeping in a tent camp in Muwasi, near Khan Younis. Relatives wept over their bloodied bodies, with one grandmother, Suad Abu Teima, crying out, “What did these children do to them? What is their fault?”
Other deadly strikes hit a displacement shelter near Gaza City’s Palestine Stadium (12 killed), residential apartments (8 killed), and a street in eastern Gaza City (11 killed). Hospitals in the besieged enclave struggled to cope with the influx of casualties, with Al-Ahli Hospital reporting five children among eight dead from another strike.
Ceasefire Hopes Rise Amid Ongoing Bloodshed
U.S. President Donald Trump hinted Friday that a Gaza ceasefire deal could be reached within a week, stating, “We’re working on Gaza and trying to get it taken care of.” Israeli Minister Ron Dermer is expected in Washington for talks on the potential agreement, according to an anonymous official briefed on the matter.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled repeatedly since March, when Israel resumed its military offensive. Approximately 50 hostages remain in Gaza—fewer than half presumed alive—out of the 251 taken during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war.
“What more is left to do in Gaza that has not already been done? Who else is left to eliminate?” asked Yotam Cohen, brother of captive Nimrod Cohen, at a rally in Tel Aviv.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Deepens
The conflict has killed over 56,000 Palestinians, including 6,089 since the last ceasefire collapsed, per Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israel insists it targets only militants, accusing Hamas of embedding itself in civilian areas.
Meanwhile, famine-like conditions grip Gaza. After a 10-week blockade on food, Israel has allowed minimal aid since mid-May. Over 500 Palestinians have been killed while seeking food in the past month, according to health officials. Witnesses accuse Israeli troops of firing on crowds near aid distribution points; the military claims it only fired warning shots and is investigating civilian casualties.
Desperate Palestinians trek for hours through military zones to reach aid, only to face looters and chaotic scrambles for supplies. On Saturday, two more died while waiting for aid near the Netzarim corridor, hospitals reported.
Political Stalemate and Regional Tensions
Hamas insists it will release all hostages only for a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal—terms Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects, vowing to continue until Hamas is disarmed. His far-right coalition opposes ending the war, but his popularity over the Iran conflict may give him leverage to negotiate.
As families bury their dead and dig through rubble for belongings, international pressure mounts for a deal to halt the bloodshed. Yet with both sides entrenched, hope for peace remains fragile.