At least 19 Palestinians were killed and several others injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Saturday, as regional violence continues amid renewed diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire.
According to Palestinian officials, the strikes targeted multiple areas spanning from northern Gaza to Khan Younis in the south. Seven people were reportedly killed in Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis, where tents housing displaced civilians came under direct attack. Another five fatalities were confirmed following a strike on a school in Gaza City that was serving as a shelter for displaced families.
Additional casualties were reported in the central Gaza refugee camps of Al-Bureij and Al-Maghazi, along with strikes on other areas across the Strip. The humanitarian toll continues to rise as densely populated civilian areas are increasingly caught in the crossfire.
The escalation came as diplomatic momentum appeared to pick up pace. Speaking aboard Air Force One on Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a potential agreement on Gaza could be reached “in the coming week,” ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Washington.
Meanwhile, Hamas issued a statement late Friday confirming it had provided a “positive response” to the most recent ceasefire proposal submitted by international mediators. The group affirmed its “serious readiness” to engage in immediate negotiations aimed at halting hostilities and addressing humanitarian concerns in the enclave.
The developments mark a critical juncture in ongoing ceasefire negotiations as international actors push to de-escalate a conflict that has now stretched on for months, resulting in thousands of casualties and the widespread displacement of civilians.
–Input WAM
