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An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Saturday resulted in the collapse of a three-storey home, claiming the lives of 10 individuals, half of whom were children. This incident occurred amid ongoing efforts by Arab mediators to revive a ceasefire.
Health officials reported that Israeli strikes over the previous 24 hours had resulted in at least 49 fatalities.
In the early morning airstrike in western Gaza City, the deceased included three women and five children, as confirmed by Shifa Hospital, which received the bodies.
The Israeli military stated that the airstrike targeted a Hamas militant and that the building associated with the militant was destroyed, though they noted that the specifics of the incident were still under investigation.
“There is no one from the resistance among them,” remarked Saed Al-Khour, who lost family members in the strike. “Since 1 o’clock until now, we have been pulling out the remains of children, women, and elderly people,” he expressed, standing among the debris.
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Professor Adi Ben-Nun stated, “Everything is destroyed” in the area identified by the report from Breaking the Silence as being affected by the conflict between Gaza and Israel.
Additionally, three individuals were killed in the Shati refugee camp located along Gaza City’s beachfront.
In response to the conflict, Hamas announced on Saturday that it had dispatched a high-level delegation to Cairo to negotiate efforts to restore the ceasefire, which had been disrupted by increased Israeli military actions last month.
The Israeli government has declared its intent to continue military operations until all hostages are safely returned and Hamas is either dismantled or expelled. Furthermore, Israel has stated plans to maintain control over parts of Gaza indefinitely and has alluded to a proposal from former U.S. President Donald Trump for the resettlement of the population in alternate countries—an idea that has received broad international condemnation.
Hamas, on the other hand, has stipulated that it will only release the hostages it holds in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a complete Israeli withdrawal, and a sustainable ceasefire, in line with the previously established but now defunct agreement from January.
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Recent strikes have also severely damaged Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, the only fully operational hospital in Gaza City, with witnesses recounting that the intensive care unit was among the sections demolished.
Hamas representatives indicated they would discuss the group’s vision for ending the conflict with Egyptian officials, which includes plans for reconstruction efforts.
Earlier this week, another group of Hamas officials arrived in Cairo to negotiate a proposal entailing a five-to-seven-year truce alongside the release of remaining hostages, according to insiders.
This initiative, being developed by Egypt and Qatar, aims to include the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners, as indicated by an Egyptian official and a Hamas representative who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.
Israeli blockade continues
The ongoing blockade of Gaza by Israel has persisted for nearly two months, even as humanitarian organizations indicate that supplies are dwindling drastically.
The United Nations World Food Program reported on Friday that its food supplies in Gaza have been exhausted, cutting off a primary source of nourishment for hundreds of thousands of residents. The organization mentioned that the charity kitchens it supports are also expected to deplete their stocks in the coming days.
Approximately 80% of Gaza’s population, which exceeds two million, now heavily relies on these charity kitchens for sustenance, as alternatives have been halted due to Israel’s blockade, according to the UN.
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Nearly one month after Israel enacted a total blockade on goods entering Gaza, families preparing for Ramadan have noted significant challenges in obtaining food as supplies dwindle and prices soar.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees highlighted that nearly 3,000 trucks of essential aid are ready for transport to Gaza, asserting that “the siege must stop.”
Hamas criticized the Trump administration’s recent decision that weakened immunity for the UN agency representing Palestinian refugees, labeling the move as perilous for the region.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the ongoing military offensive has resulted in over 51,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly affecting women and children. Israel claims to have eliminated around 20,000 militants, though evidence for these assertions has not been provided.
The conflict ignited when militants aligned with Hamas infiltrated southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals back into Gaza, based on Israeli reports. As of now, 59 hostages remain in captivity, with 24 believed to be alive following prior releases during ceasefire negotiations or other arrangements.
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