At least 25 Palestinians killed in overnight Israeli attacks in Gaza
Medical staff at Shifa Hospital said most of the victims were hit by gunfire while gathering for aid trucks near the Israeli border. Four others died in an Israeli airstrike targeting an apartment building in Gaza City.
At least 25 Palestinians were killed overnight by Israeli airstrikes and gunfire in Gaza, including several people shot while waiting for humanitarian aid near the Zikim crossing, health officials and ambulance services reported Saturday (26 July).
Medical staff at Shifa Hospital said most of the victims were hit by gunfire while gathering for aid trucks near the Israeli border. Four others died in an Israeli airstrike targeting an apartment building in Gaza City.
The Israeli military has not commented on the latest shootings. The incident follows a similar tragedy days earlier at the Zikim crossing, where at least 79 Palestinians were killed as they attempted to access humanitarian supplies. At the time, the Israeli army said its soldiers fired at crowds deemed threatening.
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The violence comes amid a breakdown in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Talks have stalled since the United States and Israel recalled their negotiating teams on Thursday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday said his government was exploring "alternative options." Meanwhile, a Hamas official claimed discussions could resume next week, suggesting the pause may be a tactic to apply pressure.
Mediators Egypt and Qatar, along with the US, have said the suspension is temporary but have not provided a timeline for resumption.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with the United Nations warning of imminent famine. Despite Israeli claims of unrestricted aid entry, the UN says operations are severely constrained by military restrictions and widespread looting.
In a rare move, Israel has agreed to allow food and milk formula airdrops requested by Jordan. The UK also said it is working urgently to send aid via Jordan.
The World Central Kitchen resumed limited operations in Deir al-Balah, aiming to provide 60,000 meals daily—less than half its previous capacity due to severe food shortages.
According to Gaza's health ministry, Israel's war on Gaza has killed at least 59,733 people and wounded 144,477. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led 7 October 2023 attacks and more than 200 were taken captive.
