Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill at Least 29, Says Civil Defense

At least 29 Palestinians, among them six children, were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to Gaza’s civil defense authority. The attacks unfolded amid a week-long stalemate in indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas held in Qatar, casting further doubt on the possibility of a near-term truce.

Heavy Strikes Overnight and Rising Civilian Casualties

Mahmud Bassal, a spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defense, reported that several airstrikes hit Gaza City overnight and into the early morning. These attacks left eight people dead, including women and children, and injured numerous others.

One of the most devastating strikes targeted a family home near the Nuseirat refugee camp, located south of Gaza City. According to Bassal, ten individuals were killed in this attack, with multiple others sustaining injuries.

In another tragic incident, a drone strike hit a potable water distribution point inside the Nuseirat camp, an area designated for displaced civilians. The explosion claimed the lives of eight people, including six children, and wounded several others.

Further south in the Al-Mawasi coastal zone—an area that has become a makeshift refuge for many displaced residents—Israeli airstrikes reportedly hit a tent shelter. Three civilians were killed in that strike, adding to the rapidly growing death toll.

No Official Israeli Statement Yet

While Israeli military authorities have not yet issued a statement on Sunday’s strikes, the military has in recent days ramped up its operations across various regions of Gaza. On Saturday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said its fighter jets targeted more than 35 Hamas-related sites around Beit Hanun in northern Gaza. These operations are part of Israel’s ongoing campaign against Hamas, following the group’s deadly cross-border assault in October 2023, which ignited the conflict.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The conflict, now well into its 21st month, has forced the vast majority of Gaza’s over two million residents to flee their homes, often multiple times. The cumulative impact of relentless bombings, displacement, and limited access to essential services has created an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the densely populated territory.

Access restrictions and ongoing violence have made it difficult for journalists and aid organizations to independently verify casualty numbers and incident reports. Nevertheless, the civil defense agency continues to provide updates as best it can amid worsening conditions.