Israeli airstrikes kill 72 Palestinians in Gaza

At least 72 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and into Saturday,

At least 72 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and into Saturday, according to local health authorities, as momentum appears to be building for a possible ceasefire after nearly two years of relentless conflict.

In one of the most devastating incidents, an airstrike hit a tent encampment in Muwasi, near Khan Younis in southern Gaza, killing an entire family — including three children and their parents — while they were asleep, according to grieving relatives.

“What crime did these innocent children commit?” asked their grandmother, Suad Abu Teima, overcome with sorrow as loved ones placed red flowers into body bags and mourned their loss.

Strikes Hit Shelters and Residential Areas

The bombardment also targeted areas near the Palestine Stadium in Gaza City, a site where displaced families had taken refuge. At least 12 people lost their lives there. Shifa Hospital staff later confirmed an additional eight fatalities from residential buildings that were hit elsewhere in the city. Over 20 bodies were delivered to Nasser Hospital, according to medical personnel.

A separate airstrike during midday killed 11 people on a busy street in eastern Gaza City, with victims taken to Al-Ahli Hospital. Later that day, another strike on a public gathering in the same region killed eight, including five children. In central Gaza, two people were killed near the entrance to the Bureij refugee camp, according to officials at Al-Awda Hospital.

Renewed Ceasefire Talks on the Horizon

U.S. President Donald Trump signaled optimism regarding a potential truce, stating during a press conference on Friday that a ceasefire agreement could be reached within the coming week. “We’re working on Gaza and trying to get it taken care of,” Trump said, in remarks that came amid reports of renewed diplomatic efforts.

An official familiar with the negotiations revealed that Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, is scheduled to visit Washington soon for high-level talks focused on Gaza, Iran, and broader regional concerns. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.

Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have been inconsistent since March, when the last ceasefire collapsed. The continuation of Israel’s military campaign has further worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Of the 251 hostages abducted by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack, around 50 are believed to still be in Gaza, though many are presumed dead.

Yotam Cohen, whose brother Nimrod is among the remaining hostages, voiced his frustration at a public gathering: “What’s left in Gaza that hasn’t been destroyed? Who else needs to die?”

Human Toll Continues to Mount

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 56,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war so far, with more than 6,000 deaths recorded since the last ceasefire ended. Over half of the deceased are reported to be women and children.

While Israel maintains that its strikes target only militants, it has faced mounting international criticism for the scale of civilian casualties. Israeli officials argue that Hamas operates within densely populated areas, using civilians as human shields.

Observers say Trump’s involvement in brokering the recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran may encourage momentum for similar efforts in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, currently enjoying strong domestic support due to military gains in Iran, may now find more political flexibility to pursue peace in Gaza — though his far-right coalition partners remain staunchly opposed.

Hamas has maintained that it is willing to release all hostages if Israel agrees to end its military campaign, but Netanyahu insists the war will only end if Hamas is disarmed and its leadership removed — demands Hamas rejects outright.

Palestinians Killed While Searching for Food

While the conflict rages on, civilians in Gaza are facing a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. After more than two months of blocked aid, Israel began allowing limited food supplies into the territory in mid-May. Still, the situation remains dire.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 500 people have died, and hundreds more have been wounded, while attempting to access food aid in the past month alone. These casualties occurred after the newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began distributing food.

Palestinian witnesses claim Israeli forces have fired at crowds approaching aid sites. The Israeli military insists only warning shots were fired and says it is investigating incidents where civilians may have been unintentionally harmed.

Many residents are forced to walk long distances—often through dangerous military zones—to reach distribution centers. Meanwhile, separate aid efforts led by the United Nations have been hampered by looting from armed groups and overwhelmed by desperate civilians who sometimes offload supplies directly from convoys.

On Saturday, two more Palestinians were shot and killed near the Netzarim corridor, a heavily militarized road that splits northern and southern Gaza. Their bodies were transported to Al-Shifa and Al-Awda hospitals, further contributing to the growing toll of civilians caught in the crossfire.