At least 15 Palestinian lives, including eight children, were reportedly lost in an Israeli strike in Gaza, according to a local hospital.
Children Targeted in Fatal Israeli Strike in Gaza, Reports Say
Children Targeted in Fatal Israeli Strike in Gaza, Reports Say
A tragic Israeli airstrike leaves children in Gaza queuing for supplements dead, raising concerns amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations.
In a devastating incident in central Gaza, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reported that an Israeli strike targeted individuals queuing for nutritional supplements in Deir al-Balah, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 Palestinians, among them eight children and two women. Graphic footage from the hospital revealed the aftermath, showcasing the toll of the attack in terms of civilian casualties and the injured receiving treatment.
In the wake of the strike, the Israeli military stated they were investigating the reports. Additionally, strikes throughout Gaza on Thursday have claimed another 26 lives, contrasting sharply with the backdrop of ongoing negotiations between Israeli and Hamas representatives in Doha for a potential ceasefire and hostage release.
While there were expressions of optimism from U.S. mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, tangible progress seems elusive. A senior Israeli official in Washington noted that it might take one or two weeks to finalize an agreement. During a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the U.S., the official indicated that a potential 60-day ceasefire could be used as leverage for a permanent resolution, contingent upon Hamas disarming.
Hamas has pushed back against the notion of a temporary truce, attributing the challenging negotiations to Israeli intransigence, while reiterating their demand for a comprehensive accord that would end the ongoing offensive. Since the onset of the new conflict on October 7, triggered by a deadly Hamas attack that killed around 1,200 and led to 251 hostages being taken, the consequences for the region have been severe. According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, over 57,680 individuals are reported killed as a result of Israeli military operations.
The humanitarian crisis continues to exacerbate, with many in Gaza displaced multiple times and over 90% of residential structures deemed damaged or destroyed, alongside a collapse of essential services such as healthcare, sanitation, and access to basic necessities.
