Gaza death toll rises amid ceasefire talks

Gaza City faces renewed bombardment with high casualties as international efforts seek a ceasefire and more aid.

Gaza Death Toll Surges as Israeli Offensive Ramps Up

More than 100 people were killed in Gaza in the last 24 hours, the Gaza health ministry said, making it the deadliest day in a week. Residents reported heavy airstrikes and tank fire in the Zeitoun and Shejaia districts, with homes flattened and streets turned chaotic. Al-Ahli hospital said 12 people were killed in an airstrike on a house in Zeitoun while tanks damaged several homes in Khan Younis.

In central Gaza, gunfire killed nine people who were seeking aid in two separate incidents, according to Palestinian medics. The toll from starvation and malnutrition in Gaza has risen to 235 since the war began, including 106 children, the health ministry said, even as it noted the figures are disputed by Israel. Talks in Cairo with Egyptian mediators focused on ending the war, delivering aid, and addressing the suffering of civilians, with some discussion of a broader ceasefire.

The day’s figures underscore how civilians bear the brunt when military aims collide with humanitarian needs. Food and fuel shortages, damaged health infrastructure, and blocked aid convoys compound the danger for families trying to survive. The international response hinges on a fragile balance between pressuring combatants and protecting civilians, a challenge that grows as talks drag on.

Political signals from leaders on both sides complicate any path toward a ceasefire. Netanyahu’s push for Gaza to evacuate frames the conflict in stark terms, while Egypt and other partners press for talks without allowing the war to derail humanitarian relief. The risk is a prolonged cycle of violence with fluctuating pledges and uneven aid access, leaving civilians to weather the storm without secure relief.

Highlights

The next moves will test whether diplomacy can translate into real relief.