Gaza City, Gaza Strip – Israeli airstrikes on Sunday killed 19 people in Gaza, including six children, according to Palestinian health authorities. The fatalities occurred in Deir Al-Balah, a central town in Gaza, where an airstrike hit a house. The attack also claimed the life of the children’s mother. The Israeli military has not yet commented on this specific incident.
In response, the Israeli military reported the destruction of rocket launchers in Khan Younis, a southern city heavily contested in recent weeks. The military claimed that the strikes targeted facilities used to fire rockets into Israel and resulted in the deaths of 20 Palestinian fighters.
The escalation comes as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepares for his 10th visit to the region in a bid to advance ceasefire negotiations. Blinken’s visit coincides with intensified diplomatic efforts involving the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, aimed at brokering a deal to end the conflict and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Amid the ongoing conflict, which erupted on October 7 following a Hamas attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and took around 250 hostages, Palestinians in Gaza are enduring severe hardships. The conflict has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths and extensive destruction across Gaza.
Residents like Tamer Al-Burai, who lives in Deir Al-Balah, express profound despair. “There is nothing left to us but the sea,” Burai said, highlighting the dire conditions as displaced people are squeezed into increasingly smaller areas. The situation is exacerbated by recent Israeli evacuation orders that have reduced the safe zones to just 11% of Gaza’s total area.
Blinken’s upcoming meetings in Israel are expected to involve discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials. While Netanyahu’s office has expressed cautious optimism about reaching a deal, Hamas has criticized U.S. statements as “deceptive” and accused Israel of imposing new conditions that could derail negotiations.
The conflict has created a critical humanitarian situation, with both sides holding firm on their demands: Hamas seeks a full ceasefire, while Israel calls for a temporary pause with conditions that would allow them to resume attacks if necessary.
