Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of at least 45 individuals, predominantly in the north, during an ongoing military offensive. Notably, 20 casualties occurred in the Djabalia refugee camp due to an airstrike on residences. Additional attacks in Gaza City further increased fatalities, which the Israeli military claims targeted Hamas. Amid rising tensions, discussions for a potential ceasefire involving U.S. and Israeli intelligence with Qatar’s leader are underway, aiming to negotiate hostages’ release.
CAIRO (Reuters) – On Sunday, Israeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of at least 45 individuals, primarily in the northern region where an ongoing offensive has been active for over three weeks, as reported by Palestinian relief sources.
Forty-three fatalities occurred in the north of the coastal enclave, with at least 20 people losing their lives due to an airstrike on homes in the Djabalia refugee camp. The Israeli forces claim that the objective is to eliminate Hamas fighters believed to be located in that area.
Nine individuals were reported dead in the Chati camp in Gaza City following a raid on a school serving as temporary housing for displaced people, which also resulted in approximately 20 injuries, many of which are severe, according to medical personnel. The Israeli military stated that it was in the process of verifying these reports.
Hamas-affiliated media outlets reported the death of an official linked to the Al Aqsa TV station in Khan Younès, situated in the southern part of the enclave.
The Israeli army announced on Sunday that it had “eliminated more than 40 terrorists” in Djabalia over the preceding 24 hours.
The toll from an airstrike on a residential area of Beit Lahiya rose to 40 by Sunday morning, as reported by the Palestinian news agency Wafa. The Israeli military described the incident as a “targeted strike” against Hamas, utilizing precision weaponry, while questioning the casualty figures provided by Palestinian sources.
The Gaza Ministry of Health estimates that approximately 800 individuals have died during the three-week period of Israeli operations targeting Djabalia, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya.
Since the initiation of the military campaign by Israel in the Gaza Strip following Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023, nearly 43,000 lives have been lost, according to estimates acknowledged by the United Nations. The initial assault in Israel resulted in 1,200 fatalities, and around 100 individuals, either dead or alive, remain hostages held by Hamas as of that date, according to Israeli authorities.
On Sunday, directors from the CIA and Mossad were scheduled to meet with Qatar’s prime minister in Doha to commence discussions aimed at establishing a ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of some hostages, as noted by a source familiar with the negotiations.
Discussions among US and Israeli intelligence officials and Prime Minister Mohamed ben Abderrahmane al Thani will concentrate on a ceasefire lasting less than a month in the Gaza Strip and a potential exchange involving Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, the source informed Reuters.
While Hamas has yet to provide an immediate response, a Palestinian official acquainted with the ongoing mediation efforts expressed expectations that the group would consider the new proposals while remaining committed to achieving a cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.