Airstrikes Claim Dozens of Lives Amid Renewed Peace Efforts
Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have claimed the lives of at least 70 people in the past 24 hours, according to Palestinian medical officials. Among the dead are women and children, adding to the growing toll of the 15-month-old conflict.
The latest strikes targeted two residential buildings in Gaza City, where 17 people perished. One of the homes, belonging to the Al-Ghoula family, was completely destroyed in the early hours of Saturday.
Ahmed Ayyan, a neighbor, described the horrifying moment: “At about 2 a.m., we were woken up by a massive explosion. There were about 14 or 15 people in the house—mostly women and children. None of them were fighters.”
Rescue teams worked tirelessly to pull survivors from the rubble, but several children were among the dead. The attack left remnants of burning furniture and smoke rising from the wreckage long after the strike.
The Israeli military defended the operation, claiming that those targeted were involved in militant activities, including the misuse of humanitarian aid corridors. The army also emphasized that the strikes were conducted away from aid convoys to ensure the continued flow of relief supplies.
More Strikes, More Casualties
Another airstrike later on Saturday struck a separate house in Gaza City, killing five more people. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service reported that at least ten more were feared to be trapped beneath the rubble.
In the northern town of Beit Hanoun, where Israeli forces have been conducting operations for three months, the military announced the destruction of a Hamas military complex. Additional airstrikes in Jabalia and near Deir Al-Balah killed at least six more Palestinians, bringing the total death toll since Friday to 70.
Ceasefire Talks Restart Amid Growing Death Toll
As the conflict escalates, efforts to broker a ceasefire have resumed. Israeli mediators have traveled to Doha for discussions led by Qatari and Egyptian officials, with backing from the United States. The push for a resolution is gaining urgency as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20.
Hamas has signaled its willingness to negotiate but has not disclosed how close the parties are to reaching a deal. Meanwhile, the group released a video featuring an Israeli hostage, Liri Albag, pleading for the Israeli government to take action. Her family, devastated by the footage, urged Israeli leaders to seize the moment and bring the hostages home.
A War with No End in Sight
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the hostage video, stating that Israel remains committed to securing the release of its citizens. He warned that anyone harming the hostages would be held fully responsible.
Israel launched its military campaign in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis and led to the capture of approximately 250 hostages. Since then, the relentless military assault has devastated much of Gaza, displacing millions and killing over 45,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
With airstrikes continuing and diplomatic efforts in motion, the question remains: Will a ceasefire come in time to prevent further loss of innocent lives?
