A family of eight, including six children, has been killed in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip as part of Israel’s ongoing attacks on the Palestinian territory. The latest overnight strikes have claimed the lives of at least 23 Palestinians, according to local health authorities.
The tragedy occurred when an Israeli missile struck their home, completely flattening it. The family’s grandfather, Mohammed Awad Khattab, shared that the mother, who worked for the United Nations, and her family were caught off guard while sleeping. Khattab expressed deep sorrow over the loss, questioning what harm the innocent children could have caused.
In addition to this devastating attack, four Palestinians were killed in Israeli bombings of two apartment buildings in the Jabalia refugee camp. Another assault near Khan Younis claimed the lives of four family members, including two women. Seven more Palestinians, including three children, were killed in the Nuseirat refugee camp. These incidents reflect a sharp rise in violence, with over 40 Palestinians killed in the past 48 hours alone.
The situation is exacerbated by the shrinking of designated “humanitarian zones” in Gaza, which have been reduced to only 11% of the Strip. This reduction has led to increased chaos and fear among displaced families, as crucial facilities like hospitals are cut off and the risk of disease spreads.
The Israeli army continues its operations, particularly in Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah, targeting areas from which rockets have been launched. They report destroying rocket launchers and finding weapons.
In response to the escalating violence, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is attempting to broker a ceasefire deal. Negotiations involving Qatari, Egyptian, and U.S. mediators, which were paused on Friday, are expected to resume in Cairo next week with the aim of reaching an agreement.
