DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Overnight and into Saturday, Israeli air attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 72 individuals in Gaza, as reported by healthcare professionals. Meanwhile, there seems to be a positive turn towards a potential ceasefire after 21 months of ongoing conflict. In Muwasi, near Khan Younis in southern Gaza, three children along with their parents lost their lives when an Israeli airstrike hit a tent camp while they were asleep. The children’s grandmother, Suad Abu Teima, expressed her grief and confusion over the violence targeting the innocent. Many mourners paid their respects, with some placing flowers into the victims’ body bags.
Among the casualties were 12 individuals who were killed near the Palestine Stadium in Gaza City, a shelter for displaced persons, while eight others died in nearby apartments. This was confirmed by Shifa Hospital staff. Health officials cited that more than 20 bodies were sent to Nasser Hospital. In a separate incident, a strike during noon in eastern Gaza City claimed the lives of 11 people, whose remains were transported to Al-Ahli Hospital. Another attack on a gathering in eastern Gaza City resulted in eight fatalities, including five children. Additionally, a strike at the entrance to the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza killed two individuals, as noted by Al-Awda Hospital.
Optimism for a ceasefire aground agreement has been growing, with U.S. President Donald Trump indicating that a potential agreement could materialize within the next week. While engaging with reporters, Trump mentioned ongoing efforts aimed at resolving the situation in Gaza. An insider source, wishing to remain unnamed due to the confidentiality of their role, disclosed that the Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs is set to travel to Washington for discussions regarding the ceasefire in Gaza, Iran, and other matters.
The previously unstable indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have seen fluctuations following Israel’s breach of the last ceasefire in March. This violation has perpetuated its military actions in Gaza, exacerbating the area’s critical humanitarian condition. Approximately 50 hostages remain captive in Gaza, with less than half presumed alive. These hostages were among the 251 individuals abducted by Hamas during its October 2023 assault on Israel, which marked the war’s inception.
In the wake of these developments, Yotam Cohen, whose brother Nimrod is a hostage, has voiced his concern over the continued violence in Gaza, questioning what objectives remain unmet by Israel. The conflicts have led to over 56,000 Palestinian deaths, as per the Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between non-combatants and militants. According to their data, over half of the deceased were women and children, with 6,089 of these deaths occurring since hostilities resumed post the last ceasefire.
While Israel contends that their operations strictly target militants, they attribute the civilian casualties to Hamas, accusing them of using populated areas as shielded locations. Families of the captives hold out hope that Trump’s role in mediating the ceasefire with Iran could result in additional pressure for a peace deal in Gaza. Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu currently enjoys robust support for actions taken against Iran, domestic political dynamics involving far-right coalition partners may challenge any attempts to conclude the Gaza conflict.
Hamas has repeatedly offered to release all hostages if the war in Gaza ends, an offer Israel has declined as Netanyahu insists the conflict will only cease following the disarmament and expulsion of Hamas, options the militant group has dismissed. The dire humanitarian crisis continues in Gaza, with Palestinians suffering from extreme scarcity of food due to Israeli blockades, which have only slightly eased to permit limited supply entry. Since fresh aid efforts began, over 500 Palestinians have died and several hundred have been injured in attempts to secure food.
Palestinian accounts indicate that Israeli soldiers have fired upon crowds attempting to access aid, although the Israeli military claims warning shots were used, with investigations ongoing into instances of civilian harm. The desperation among people has led to lengthy treks through military-controlled regions to reach aid sites. Separate attempts by the United Nations to distribute food have faced challenges, including looting by armed groups and people intercepting supplies meant for humanitarian relief.
Saturday’s list of casualties also accounts for two individuals shot by Israeli forces while in line for aid at the Netzarim corridor, dividing northern and southern Gaza. Both Al-Shifa and Al-Awda hospitals reported receiving a deceased individual from this incident. The Israeli military has yet to release a comment regarding these specific events.