At least 31 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, with nearly half of the fatalities in the northern region, where Israeli forces have conducted ongoing ground and aerial offensives since early October, according to Palestinian health officials. The offensive aims to prevent Hamas forces from regrouping, according to Israeli military statements. Palestinians claim the operations, along with evacuations of residents, amount to "ethnic cleansing" to create buffer zones, an allegation Israel denies, stating that it is targeting Hamas militants.
A series of separate strikes led to fatalities across Gaza, including in Beit Lahiya and Jabalia, where intense fighting continues. A hospital in Beit Lahiya came under Israeli tank fire on Sunday, critically wounding a child and damaging water supplies and the neonatal intensive care unit, according to Kamal Adwan Hospital's director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. This incident took place shortly after a World Health Organization (WHO) delegation visited the facility to assess conditions and evacuate some patients.
The WHO condemned the attack, stating that it occurred during a humanitarian pause intended to facilitate a polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, emphasized the importance of respecting humanitarian agreements, especially when children’s health is at stake, and reiterated calls for a ceasefire.
The Israeli Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) contended that the explosion resulted from an explosive device planted by Palestinian militants and denied targeting civilian facilities. COGAT also stated that it facilitated the polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza, where over 58,000 children have received a dose, though Gaza’s health ministry claims the conflict disrupts their vaccination efforts.
Meanwhile, negotiations for a larger ceasefire remain stalled, with Hamas calling for a permanent end to hostilities and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting that the conflict will only cease when Hamas is eradicated. Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas are pressing for a resolution, as recent media leaks implicate high-ranking officials in a classified document leak that may have compromised hostage negotiations. The court has only partially lifted a gag order on the case.
The conflict, which began after a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, has resulted in the deaths of more than 43,000 Palestinians and widespread devastation in Gaza. Israel's response follows the abduction of 251 hostages by Hamas militants, intensifying demands for a ceasefire and a negotiated end to hostilities.