At least 82 people have been killed in Gaza in a series of Israeli strikes since dawn, amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations and increasing concerns over plans to forcibly relocate Palestinians to southern areas of the enclave. The deadly escalation occurred while talks are underway involving key international mediators aiming to halt hostilities and secure the release of captives.
Among the dead are 15 civilians, including nine children and four women, who were killed while waiting in line for child nutrition supplies in Deir el-Balah. Another 30 were wounded in the same attack, with children accounting for the majority of those injured.
The assault has drawn international condemnation, particularly for targeting families seeking aid. It highlights the devastating conditions faced by civilians, who are grappling with severe shortages of food, medical care, and basic services. The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate as restrictions on humanitarian access persist and health systems teeter on the verge of collapse.
The recent strikes are part of a broader campaign that has killed tens of thousands in Gaza since the conflict began in late 2023. Over 57,000 Palestinians have died, and more than 130,000 have been injured. Attacks continue to hit schools, displacement camps, and crowded residential areas, fueling growing accusations of ethnic cleansing.
Despite negotiations aimed at halting the violence, proposed plans to transfer Palestinian populations to tented camps in Rafah have intensified tensions. Critics argue that such moves could result in de facto mass internment along the Gaza-Egypt border, especially as the area remains under constant threat of bombardment. Aid agencies warn that large-scale displacement under current conditions could lead to mass suffering and loss of life.
As pressure mounts, negotiations have reportedly made some headway, with a proposed 60-day ceasefire on the table. The plan includes the potential release of 10 captives held in Gaza, though disputes remain over the delivery of aid and the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Israeli leadership has indicated openness to a longer-term agreement—on the condition that Hamas fully disarms and relinquishes its governing authority in the Strip. Failure to achieve this diplomatically, officials say, could result in the renewed use of military force.
Meanwhile, European leaders have secured a new agreement with Israel to facilitate the entry of critical aid into Gaza. The arrangement is expected to reopen multiple crossings and allow for the flow of food, fuel, and humanitarian relief. It may also enable the repair of essential infrastructure and support operations such as community bakeries and kitchens that have been shuttered for months.
The plan includes reactivating aid corridors through Jordan and Egypt. However, it remains unclear whether the aid will be distributed through the traditional UN framework or the alternative mechanism backed by the US and Israel, which has faced widespread criticism over access, transparency, and safety concerns.
As aid trucks prepare to move, the people of Gaza remain trapped between bombardment and starvation. Displacement, grief, and uncertainty define daily life, even as global calls for an immediate humanitarian resolution grow louder.
