Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday resulted in the deaths of at least nine Palestinians, according to Palestinian medics. The weekend death toll rose to 97 as U.S. and Arab mediators intensified efforts to secure a ceasefire deal.
Health officials reported that five individuals were killed in a house in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza due to an Israeli airstrike, while another airstrike claimed the lives of four people in Jabalia in the northern region of the enclave, where Israeli forces have been active for three months.
On Sunday, the health ministry in Gaza, which is under the control of Hamas, stated that Israeli strikes throughout the territory had resulted in the deaths of a minimum of 88 Palestinians and left over 200 others injured within the past 24 hours.
Following an Israeli airstrike late on Saturday that targeted the Zuhd family’s residence in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, seven individuals lost their lives, with four more believed to be trapped beneath the debris. Amidst the destruction, relatives and neighbors worked to recover bodies and search for potential survivors.
The Israeli military disclosed that it had targeted over 100 sites in Gaza during the weekend, resulting in the deaths of numerous Hamas militants. The military also reported the destruction of rocket launch sites used for attacks on Israel in recent days.
Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have been rejuvenated, with the aim to secure the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20. Israeli negotiators were dispatched to resume discussions in Doha led by Qatari and Egyptian mediators, as the U.S. administration under President Joe Biden urged Hamas to agree to a potential resolution.
Hamas expressed its commitment to reaching an agreement promptly, although the exact proximity to a deal remained uncertain. The conflict was instigated by a Hamas attack on communities in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in casualties and the capture of hostages.
Israel’s military campaign, aimed at neutralizing Hamas, has led to significant destruction in the enclave, displacing numerous residents from their homes and resulting in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, according to data from the Gaza health ministry.
The situation remains volatile as both sides continue to navigate the complexities of the conflict, with international mediators playing a crucial role in facilitating dialogue and working towards a peaceful resolution.
