Israeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip claimed 65 lives over the past day, including 12 members of the Al-Ghoula family in Gaza City, as efforts to mediate a ceasefire resumed in Qatar. Palestinian medics reported that the airstrike on the Al-Ghoula family home left the building in ruins, with several children among the casualties. Neighbors recounted the devastating impact of the 2 a.m. explosion, emphasizing that the house was occupied by civilians, not militants.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the specific incident but announced its continued operations in Beit Hanoun, targeting a Hamas military complex. Additional strikes in Jabalia and Deir Al-Balah claimed six more lives on Saturday.
The surge in violence coincides with renewed diplomatic efforts to halt the 15-month conflict. Mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are working to secure a ceasefire and facilitate the return of Israeli hostages before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. While Hamas expressed willingness to negotiate, the path to an agreement remains uncertain.
On Saturday, Hamas released a video of an Israeli female hostage urging her government to prioritize the hostages’ release. Israel’s military has historically dismissed such videos as propaganda.
This escalation follows the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and led to the capture of approximately 250 hostages. Israel’s military response has devastated Gaza, displacing its residents and resulting in 45,717 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza health ministry.
As mediators strive for peace, the death toll continues to rise, amplifying calls for an urgent resolution.
