At least 52 Palestinians, including eight children, were rep#rtedly k!ll#d in recent Israeli str!kes on the Gaza Strip, as the ongoing conflict stretches into its 22nd month.
Gaza’s civil defence agency said that 17 people lost their lives in Deir el-Balah after a str!ke near a medical point. The v!ct!ms included children and women waiting for food aid.
Eyewitnesses described panic and destruction. “We heard a drone, then a loud blast. The ground shook and people screamed,” said a survivor.
More f@talities were reported in Al-Bureij camp and across Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, bringing the day’s toll to over 50. Several were inj#red in separate incidents, including near an aid center.
The UN has reported over 600 d#aths during aid deliveries in Gaza since late May, raising concerns about civilian safety.
Ceasefire Efforts Face Obstacles
Hamas confirmed its readiness to release 10 hostages in indirect talks with Israel, now in their fifth day in Qatar. However, the group opposes any agreement that includes an Israeli military presence in Gaza.
Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said key disagreements remain, particularly around the control of Rafah and demands for a complete military withdrawal.
US Optimistic But Cautious
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced hope, saying the two sides were “closer” to agreement than before. “There’s general agreement on terms, but now the focus is implementation,” Rubio said.
He warned that Hamas’ refusal to disarm remains a core challenge and acknowledged that similar talks in the past had collapsed late in the process.
