Israeli airstrikes killed at least 72 people across the Gaza Strip overnight and into Saturday, according to health officials, as prospects for a ceasefire appear to be gaining traction after nearly two years of conflict.
Among the victims were a family of five, including three children, killed while sleeping in a tent encampment in Muwasi, near Khan Younis in southern Gaza. “What wrong did these children do?” asked their grieving grandmother, Suad Abu Teima, as mourners wept and placed flowers on the bodies.
In other areas, 12 people died near Gaza City’s Palestine Stadium, a shelter for displaced residents, and eight others were killed in nearby apartments, staff at Shifa Hospital reported. Over 20 additional bodies were taken to Nasser Hospital.
Later strikes in eastern Gaza City claimed 11 lives on a single street and eight more in another area, five of whom were children, according to Al-Ahli Hospital. In central Gaza, two people died at the entrance to Bureij refugee camp, said Al-Awda Hospital.
Possible Ceasefire Within a Week
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Friday that a ceasefire deal could be reached within the next week. “We’re working on Gaza and trying to get it taken care of,” he told reporters.
An official familiar with the situation said Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is expected to travel to Washington next week for discussions covering Gaza, Iran, and related topics. Talks between Israel and Hamas have resumed intermittently since the previous ceasefire collapsed in March, reigniting Israel’s military operations and worsening Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
Roughly 50 hostages remain in Gaza from the initial 251 abducted during Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Fewer than half are believed to be alive.
Yotam Cohen, whose brother Nimrod is among the hostages, expressed frustration Saturday: “What more is there to destroy in Gaza? Who is left to eliminate?” His comments came during renewed rallies by hostage families following a recent truce between Israel and Iran.
Over 6,000 Dead Since Ceasefire Broke
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 56,000 Palestinians have died during the war, including 6,089 since the last ceasefire ended. The ministry says more than half of those killed have been women and children, although it does not separate civilians from militants in its reports.
Israel insists its military targets only Hamas fighters and holds the group responsible for civilian casualties, accusing it of operating from densely populated areas.
Families of hostages are hopeful that Trump’s role in brokering a truce with Iran could influence negotiations in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, buoyed by public approval for the Iran operation, may now have more room to push for a ceasefire—though members of his far-right coalition remain opposed.
Hamas maintains it is ready to release all hostages if the war ends, while Netanyahu has vowed to continue the conflict until Hamas is fully disarmed and removed from Gaza, a demand the group refuses.
Food Crisis and Deadly Aid Access
As the humanitarian situation worsens, desperate Palestinians are struggling to obtain food. Israel restricted all food deliveries for over two months and has only allowed limited aid since mid-May.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 500 people have died and many more injured while trying to access food over the past month. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, newly established to distribute aid, has faced deadly chaos as civilians are reportedly shot at while approaching distribution points.
Palestinian witnesses claim Israeli troops fired on crowds, while the Israeli military says only warning shots were used and that investigations are underway.
People often walk long distances through military zones to reach aid locations. Efforts by the United Nations have been hindered by looting and overwhelming crowds.
Among Saturday’s fatalities were two Palestinians killed by Israeli gunfire while waiting for food near the Netzarim corridor, a road dividing northern and southern Gaza. Their bodies were taken to Al-Shifa and Al-Awda hospitals.
The Israeli military has not issued an official statement on the latest incidents.