CAIRO, Egypt. At least 85 people were killed in the Gaza Strip on Thursday amid intensified Israeli airstrikes, according to Palestinian medics, as diplomatic efforts involving the United States, Qatar, and Egypt sought to broker a ceasefire. The escalation coincided with a high-profile visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to the Middle East.
The majority of fatalities, including women and children, occurred in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, where Israeli air raids struck residential homes and temporary shelters, medics reported. Among those killed was Hassan Samour, a journalist working for the Hamas-run Aqsa Radio, who died alongside 11 members of his family when their house was hit.
The Israeli military confirmed that its air force had targeted 130 sites in Gaza over the past 48 hours, which it said were used by militant groups. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strikes were part of an ongoing campaign to eliminate Hamas, in response to the group’s deadly cross-border attacks in 2023.
In Jabalia, northern Gaza, an airstrike reportedly hit the Al-Tawba Medical Clinic, killing at least 15 people and injuring several more, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. This brought Thursday’s total death toll to at least 85, with medics warning that the number could rise.
Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations continue behind the scenes, involving U.S. envoys, Qatari and Egyptian mediators, and Hamas representatives in Doha. In a statement, Hamas accused Israel of a “desperate attempt to negotiate under the cover of fire.”
Thursday also marked the annual Palestinian commemoration of the Nakba — or “catastrophe” — referring to the mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 war that followed the creation of Israel. For many in Gaza, this year’s anniversary carried added weight amid relentless bombardment and displacement.
“What we are experiencing now is even worse than the Nakba of 1948,” said Ahmed Hamad, a displaced resident in Gaza City. “The truth is, we live in a constant state of violence and displacement. Wherever we go, we face attacks. Death surrounds us everywhere.”
Israel has vowed to continue its military campaign until it eliminates Hamas’ military capabilities. The militant group, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, Canada, and other countries, continues to control the Gaza Strip despite repeated military conflicts.
Efforts to reach a ceasefire remain ongoing, but with no breakthrough yet in sight, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
