Gaza City – At least 81 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip since early Monday, with 53 deaths reported in Gaza City alone, as Israel escalates its military campaign amid stalled ceasefire negotiations.
The latest surge in violence comes as diplomatic tensions rise. Al Jazeera’s Washington, DC correspondent reports that “very different messages” are emerging from Hamas and U.S. officials regarding a proposed truce. While some reports indicate that Hamas has agreed to a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, American officials have not confirmed a breakthrough.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. A spokesperson for the World Health Organization warned that “everyone is suffering” as hospitals run critically low on medical supplies. The official described the injuries being treated as “horrific,” further exacerbated by Israeli restrictions on the entry of aid into the besieged enclave.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the death toll from Israel’s war on Gaza has reached at least 53,977, with 122,966 wounded. The Government Media Office later revised the death toll to over 61,700, citing thousands still missing beneath the rubble who are presumed dead.
The ongoing war was triggered by the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which left an estimated 1,139 people dead and more than 200 taken captive.