Gaza Strike Kills Fifteen, Including Children

Ceasefire negotiations continue amid rising casualties.

A recent Israeli strike near a medical facility in central Gaza has reportedly killed at least 15 Palestinians, according to hospital officials, as ceasefire talks continue to stall in Doha.

Tragic Incident at Medical Point

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reported the deadly strike occurred near a nutritional supplement distribution point in Deir al-Balah. The victims included eight children and two women. The hospital shared disturbing images of children’s bodies and wounded individuals receiving treatment. The Israeli military has stated that they are currently reviewing these reports.

Ceasefire Talks Remain Stalled

Negotiations in Doha between Israeli and Hamas representatives, mediated by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, have yet to yield a breakthrough. Parallel to this strike, another 26 individuals were allegedly killed in different areas of Gaza on Thursday. These deaths occurred even as negotiations for a new ceasefire and the release of hostages were ongoing.

Despite the involvement of key mediators, a final agreement has yet to be reached. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, recently visited the U.S., and a senior Israeli official told reporters in Washington that reaching an agreement could still take up to two weeks.

The same official stated that Israel would use a potential 60-day ceasefire to propose a permanent end to the war, contingent on Hamas disarming. If Hamas refuses, Israel would supposedly “proceed” with military operations.

Hamas has accused Israel of “intransigence,” describing the talks as difficult. The group claims to have shown flexibility by agreeing to release 10 hostages while reiterating its demand for a comprehensive agreement to end the Israeli offensive.

Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

Since the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages, the Israeli military has conducted an extensive campaign in Gaza. Since then, at least 57,680 people have been killed in Gaza, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry. This number continues to rise daily.

The situation in Gaza is dire, with the healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene systems nearing total collapse. According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), over one million people are currently displaced in Rafah, which is one of the most densely populated areas on earth, with limited access to essential resources (UNRWA 2024).

Most of Gaza’s population has been displaced repeatedly, as over 90% of homes have been damaged or destroyed. The population faces critical shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and shelter.