Cairo: An Israeli airstrike on a house in Jabalia, northern Gaza, at dawn on Sunday left dozens dead or injured, according to Palestinian medical sources. Social media footage, which Reuters could not independently verify, showed around a dozen bodies wrapped in blankets on the floor of a hospital. Local residents reported that the targeted building had housed at least 30 people. The Palestinian news agency WAFA and Hamas media stated that 32 people were killed, though the health ministry has not confirmed the figure.
The Civil Emergency Service in Gaza reported that its operations had been interrupted by an ongoing Israeli raid that began on October 5, targeting two towns and a refugee camp in northern Gaza. As a result, they were unable to provide a specific death toll from the latest strike. Israel, for its part, stated that its forces entered Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun to combat Hamas militants operating in the area and prevent them from regrouping. The Israeli military claims that hundreds of militants have been killed since the start of this new offensive.
In Gaza City, an Israeli airstrike on a house in the Sabra neighborhood killed Wael Al-Khour, a senior official at the Welfare Ministry, and seven members of his family, including his wife and children, according to medics and family members. The Israeli military said it was investigating both the Jabalia and Sabra strikes.
Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have so far faltered, with both sides blaming each other. Hamas demands an end to the war and a prisoner-for-hostages deal, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the war will continue until Hamas is completely eradicated. Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., which have been attempting to broker a ceasefire, announced on Saturday that they would pause their efforts until both sides show "willingness and seriousness" to resume talks. The stalemate in negotiations further complicates any potential resolution to the conflict.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people and taking 253 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. In retaliation, Israel's military campaign has devastated large parts of Gaza, with Palestinian health officials reporting at least 43,500 deaths in the territory.