At least 29 Palestinians, including six children, were killed on Sunday as Israeli air strikes hit multiple locations across Gaza, according to the territory’s civil defense agency.
Mahmud Bassal, a spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defense, reported that overnight strikes targeted Gaza City, resulting in eight deaths, including women and children, and leaving several others wounded.
In a tragic incident near the Nuseirat refugee camp south of Gaza City, an air strike destroyed a family home, causing the deaths of ten people and injuring several more, Bassal said.
“A drone strike hit a potable water distribution point in an area for displaced people in the Nuseirat camp, killing eight people, including six children,” he added. Several others were wounded in the attack.
In the southern coastal area of Al-Mawasi, three displaced Palestinians lost their lives when Israeli jets struck a tent sheltering them, according to the civil defense spokesperson.
The Israeli military has not provided immediate comments on these specific incidents but recently announced intensified operations across Gaza. On Saturday, the military stated that its fighter jets targeted over 35 “Hamas terror targets” in Beit Hanun, located in northern Gaza.
The ongoing conflict has displaced the majority of Gaza’s population of over two million people, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian conditions in the region.
Ceasefire Talks Reach a Deadlock
The latest attacks coincide with a standstill in indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by Qatar. Despite some progress, there are no clear signs of a breakthrough, and Israeli media reports suggest that security agencies are preparing for a potential escalation.
Qin Tian, deputy director of the Middle East Studies Department at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, outlined three core issues hindering the ceasefire talks: troop withdrawal, humanitarian aid, and a permanent ceasefire.
“Hamas demands that the Israeli military retreat to positions held before mid-March. However, Israel has expanded its control over Gaza in recent months and is reluctant to relinquish key strategic areas,” Qin explained.
On the possibility of a permanent ceasefire, Qin noted that “Israel and Hamas are fundamentally at odds. Without a balance of power on the battlefield, crafting a mutually acceptable solution is challenging.”
The Role of the United States
Qin also highlighted the influence of the United States in the deadlock. “The long-standing lenient stance of the U.S. towards Israel makes it difficult for the U.S. to pressure Israel into making substantive concessions,” he said.
While the U.S. Middle East Special Envoy has arrived in Qatar, it remains uncertain whether meaningful compromise can be facilitated. “Overall, the prospects for a permanent and thorough resolution to the Gaza ceasefire issue do not look promising,” Qin concluded.
The international community watches on as the humanitarian crisis deepens, with hopes that renewed efforts will bring an end to the hostilities.
