At least 21 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza late Tuesday and early Wednesday, as the humanitarian crisis deepens nearly two years into the Israel-Hamas war.
The deadly strikes come amid growing desperation among Gaza’s over 2 million residents, many of whom are facing hunger and chaos due to the prolonged conflict and Israel’s blockade. In response to the escalating crisis, the U.S. State Department announced that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to the region to push for a ceasefire deal.
According to the U.N. human rights office, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since May while trying to access food — often near aid sites run by an American contractor. Aid operations continue to be hampered by violence, looting, and logistical breakdowns.
Gaza's Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, reports over 59,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. While the ministry does not separate civilian and militant casualties, it states that more than half of those killed are women and children. International organizations, including the U.N., treat these figures as credible.
Tragic Night of Airstrikes
One of the worst-hit areas was a house in northwestern Gaza City, where an Israeli strike killed at least 12 people — including six children and two women, according to Shifa Hospital. Another strike in Tal al-Hawa killed six more, among them three children and two women, one of whom was pregnant. A third strike in Gaza City's Naser neighborhood killed three children.
The Israeli military claimed one of the strikes targeted an Islamic Jihad militant and said it is reviewing the incident due to reports of civilian casualties. It did not comment on the other strikes but maintained that Hamas is to blame for civilian deaths, accusing the group of operating from densely populated areas.
Holy Site Hit ‘Accidentally’
Israel confirmed that a shell accidentally struck the Holy Family Church in Gaza City last week, killing three people and wounding ten. The military called it an “unintentional deviation of munitions.” The incident drew global condemnation, including statements from Pope Leo XIV and U.S. President Donald Trump.
The church, Gaza’s only Catholic place of worship, was severely damaged. Visiting church leaders described the surrounding area as “almost totally destroyed.”
Houthi Attacks in Red Sea Deemed War Crimes
In a related development, Human Rights Watch condemned recent Houthi rebel attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, labeling them as war crimes. The Iran-backed rebels claimed the attacks were in protest of Israel’s war in Gaza, but HRW asserted that targeting ships unrelated to the conflict violates international law.
Senior Gaza Health Official Detained
Israel has detained Dr. Marwan al-Hams, acting director of Gaza’s field hospitals and health ministry spokesperson. Palestinian rights group Addameer said he was shot during his arrest in Rafah and is currently held in a southern Israeli prison. His detention has been extended until the end of the month, and no legal counsel has been permitted access.
Aid Groups Demand Action
A coalition of 115 international human rights and aid organizations released a letter Wednesday warning of accelerating starvation in Gaza. They criticized Israel’s restrictions and delays on humanitarian aid and condemned the repeated violence at food distribution points, describing the conditions as “chaos, starvation, and death.”
“The siege is breaking down Gaza’s society,” the letter stated. It urged immediate scaling up of aid deliveries and an urgent ceasefire.
Israel, meanwhile, says it has allowed thousands of aid trucks to enter Gaza since May and blamed aid agencies for failing to distribute supplies effectively.