An Israeli airstrike hit a tent inside a hospital compound in central Gaza, killing at least five people, according to Gaza health officials. This brings the total number of Palestinians killed on Sunday to 19. The airstrike at the Al-Aqsa Hospital compound caused a fire and injured at least 18 people in addition to the fatalities.
The Israeli military stated that it targeted a fighter involved in “terror activities” and noted secondary explosions, suggesting the presence of weapons in the area. They also mentioned striking 50 military targets in Gaza over the past 24 hours.
The hospital compound in Deir Al-Balah is crowded with thousands of people displaced by the ongoing conflict. In Deir Al-Balah, another Israeli missile strike killed three Palestinians, while eight people were killed in Jabalia camp in northern Gaza City, and three others died in a separate strike on a car.
Palestinians attempted to extinguish the fire in the tent encampment with water and small fire extinguishers, as shown in Reuters footage.
Israeli strikes and shelling in Gaza continued following unsuccessful diplomatic efforts in Cairo. Sirens were heard in Ashdod, north of recent conflict areas, with the Israeli military reporting five rockets launched from southern Gaza without causing injuries.
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Regional tensions have escalated following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Both Hamas and Iran accused Israel of the assassination, pledging retaliation. Israel has not confirmed nor denied involvement.
International pressure is mounting for Israel to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas, aiming to end the violence and secure the return of 115 hostages abducted during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Gaza health officials report at least 39,550 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military campaign.
An Israeli delegation’s attempt to resume ceasefire negotiations in Cairo on Saturday ended without progress. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Hamas has not agreed to the terms of a proposed ceasefire and hostage release deal, citing disagreements over the ability to resume fighting if necessary, control of the Rafah crossing, and preventing weapons and fighters from returning to northern Gaza.
Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri blamed Netanyahu for the lack of progress, accusing him of dragging the region into further conflict. Hostage families and political opponents of Netanyahu have also accused him of blocking a deal for political purposes.
US President Joe Biden reportedly used strong language in urging Netanyahu to reach an agreement. A Palestinian official indicated that the response to the assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders and the process to replace Haniyeh make it unlikely that diplomatic efforts will resume soon.
