Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Kill 21 Amid Renewed Ceasefire Talks \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Israeli airstrikes killed at least 21 people in Gaza on Saturday as indirect ceasefire negotiations resumed in Qatar. The escalating conflict, which has killed over 45,700 Palestinians and displaced 90% of Gaza’s population, has drawn protests in Israel, with families of hostages demanding action. Talks remain stalled as Israeli forces continue operations aimed at Hamas’ destruction.
Gaza Conflict Escalates: Quick Looks
- Saturday’s Airstrikes: At least 21 killed in Gaza, including children, as Israeli strikes hit Khan Younis, Bureij, and Deir al-Balah.
- Ceasefire Talks Resume: Mediated by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt but face significant hurdles.
- Hostage Crisis: Over 100 hostages remain in Gaza; a soldier appears in a new Hamas video.
- Massive Casualties: Gaza Health Ministry reports over 45,700 Palestinian deaths since the war began.
- West Bank Tensions: Clashes in Nablus leave one Palestinian dead, nine wounded.
- Winter Hardship: Displacement and cold temperatures worsen humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
Deep Look
Death Toll Rises as Israeli Airstrikes Ravage Gaza Amid Renewed Ceasefire Efforts
The Israeli military intensified its airstrikes on Gaza on Saturday, killing at least 21 people, including two children, in attacks across multiple areas. Hospital officials in Gaza described harrowing scenes, with civilians among the dead after strikes targeted Khan Younis, Gaza City, and other locations.
The violence unfolded as indirect ceasefire negotiations resumed in Qatar, mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. The talks are the latest attempt to halt the bloodiest and most destructive chapter of the ongoing 15-month conflict between Israel and Hamas, yet progress remains elusive.
Saturday’s Casualties Across Gaza
According to staff at Nasser Hospital, airstrikes in the southern city of Khan Younis hit a car, a house, and pedestrians on the street, leaving devastation in their wake. In Gaza City, five people were killed when a residential area near the Saraya complex was destroyed, first responders from Gaza’s Hamas-affiliated Civil Defense reported.
Meanwhile, three people were killed in Bureij, and another three, including a child, lost their lives in Deir al-Balah. Images of grieving families surfaced throughout the day, including a small boy crying over his father and a young man weeping against a hospital wall.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said the past 24 hours alone had seen at least 59 people killed and more than 270 others wounded in Israeli strikes. The cumulative toll has climbed to over 45,700 Palestinians killed since the conflict began in October 2023.
Israel’s Military Response
The Israeli military claimed responsibility for the strikes, stating that its operations targeted Hamas militants. Overnight strikes in southern Gaza and an attack on a vehicle in Deir al-Balah were among those described in military statements. Officials also reported that a Hamas projectile landed near the Erez crossing, though no injuries were reported.
While the military asserts that its strikes aim to neutralize militants, the Gaza Health Ministry reports that women and children make up more than half of the fatalities. Israel attributes the high civilian toll to Hamas’ use of dense urban areas for military operations, which the military argues forces difficult targeting decisions.
Ceasefire Talks in Qatar Offer Limited Hope
In Qatar’s capital, Doha, ceasefire negotiations have resumed, marking another effort to halt the conflict. Hamas announced on Friday that it was committed to reaching an agreement while warning against misinformation that could undermine public trust. However, the talks face deep-rooted obstacles, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains determined to destroy Hamas.
This hardline stance has been a major barrier to progress, with Israel viewing Hamas as a terrorist organization that must be eradicated, while Hamas insists on the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The Hostage Crisis Complicates Negotiations
A significant aspect of the conflict involves the hostage crisis that began when Hamas and other militants launched their October 2023 attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 civilians and abducting approximately 250 people. Over 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least a third believed to be dead.
On Saturday, Hamas released a video of Israeli soldier and hostage Liri Albag, who has been held for 450 days. Speaking under duress, Albag expressed anguish over her captivity and described living in “an extremely terrifying nightmare.” She also mentioned a fellow captive injured by the fighting but did not provide further details.
The video prompted renewed calls for action in Israel, where families of hostages have been rallying weekly to pressure the government. Thousands gathered again on Saturday in Tel Aviv, with some protesters clashing with police during sit-ins. Netanyahu assured Albag’s family that efforts to secure hostages’ release remain a priority.
A Humanitarian Crisis Reaches Breaking Point
The war has created one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent history. Over 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million has been displaced, with many forced to seek refuge multiple times. Winter’s arrival has exacerbated conditions, with children reportedly dying from exposure to the cold in makeshift shelters.
On Saturday, Gaza’s Health Ministry announced that the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza is no longer operational due to Israeli military operations. The ministry also confirmed that all public hospitals in northern Gaza, already isolated by months of fighting, have ceased functioning. Emergency responders face mounting challenges accessing these areas, leaving many bodies trapped beneath rubble.
Violence Extends Beyond Gaza
The conflict continues to inflame tensions in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where clashes erupted on Friday in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus. An 18-year-old Palestinian was killed, and nine others were injured, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Since October 2023, more than 800 Palestinians have died in Israeli raids across the West Bank.
In southern Lebanon, a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has held for over a month, but the arrangement remains tenuous. Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire almost daily during the initial months of the Gaza war, and experts warn that renewed hostilities could erupt if the ceasefire terms are not met within the agreed 60-day timeline.
The Cost of a Prolonged Conflict
The war between Israel and Hamas has become the deadliest and most destructive confrontation in their long-standing conflict. It began with Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israel in October 2023 and has since caused immense human suffering and infrastructural devastation
Israel remains committed to its goal of dismantling Hamas, while the militant group continues to regroup and resist in areas where Israeli forces have withdrawn. With both sides entrenched in their objectives, the prospects for a negotiated ceasefire remain bleak.
As Gaza’s population faces unrelenting airstrikes, displacement, and winter hardships, the international community continues to push for an end to the violence. However, achieving a durable resolution will require addressing not only the immediate conflict but also the underlying issues that have fueled decades of hostility.
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