At Least 49 Killed in Latest Israeli Strikes on Gaza as Ceasefire Talks Advance

Israeli airstrikes across Gaza have killed at least 49 people, according to local health workers, as the region faces an escalating humanitarian disaster and cautious optimism grows around potential ceasefire negotiations.

The bombardment, which began late Friday and continued into Saturday, included a deadly strike near the Palestine Stadium in Gaza City — a known refuge for displaced residents — where 12 people reportedly died. Another eight were killed in nearby residential apartments, according to Shifa Hospital staff. In southern Gaza, six people were killed when their tent in Muwasi was struck.

The strikes come as former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that a ceasefire agreement could be reached within a week. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump stated, “We’re working on Gaza and trying to get it taken care of.”

According to an anonymous U.S. official, Israel’s Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, is expected in Washington next week to discuss Gaza, Iran, and other regional issues.

Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza after breaking the last ceasefire in March, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation. The war, which began after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has lasted 21 months and claimed over 56,000 Palestinian lives, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports. More than half of the casualties are women and children. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.

Roughly 50 hostages remain in Gaza, although fewer than half are believed to be alive. Originally, around 250 individuals were taken during the Hamas attack in 2023.

Hostage families are hopeful that Trump’s recent role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran may add pressure for a similar deal in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, buoyed by public support following the conflict with Iran, may now have more flexibility to consider ending the war in Gaza — a move opposed by his far-right coalition partners. While Hamas has expressed willingness to release all hostages in exchange for a complete end to the war, Netanyahu insists he will only halt operations once Hamas is disarmed and its leadership removed — demands Hamas refuses to meet.

Meanwhile, civilians in Gaza continue to face extreme hunger and insecurity. After a complete blockade of food for over two months, Israel has only recently permitted minimal aid deliveries since mid-May.

However, food distribution efforts by the United Nations have been hampered by looting and chaotic crowds. Desperate Palestinians have even intercepted trucks mid-transit. In several incidents, Israeli forces have reportedly fired on civilians approaching newly established food aid centers supported by the U.S. and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The Israeli military has confirmed that it is investigating reports of civilians being injured during these encounters.