Israeli Forces and Hamas Clash Intensify in Gaza: At Least 50 Killed

Southern and Central Gaza Bombarded

Israeli forces clashed with Hamas fighters in various parts of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, with Palestinian health officials reporting at least 50 casualties in Israeli bombardments across southern and central areas.

Hamas Accuses Israel Amid Ceasefire Talks

The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas accused Israel of escalating attacks in Gaza to sabotage efforts by Arab mediators and the United States to secure a ceasefire. Israel maintains it is targeting Hamas fighters.

Rafah and Khan Younis Hit Hard

In Rafah, a southern border city where Israeli forces have been active since May, five Palestinians died in an airstrike on a house, according to Gaza health officials. In nearby Khan Younis, a man, his wife, and two children were also killed. Later, an Israeli airstrike on a car in Khan Younis resulted in at least 17 deaths and 26 injuries. The strike occurred near a tented area housing displaced families on Attar Street, according to the health ministry.

Central Gaza Sees Continued Violence

In the historic Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, at least four Palestinians were killed in separate shelling and aerial strikes. In Sheikh Zayed, northern Gaza, another four were killed by an Israeli airstrike. Hours later, an Israeli airstrike on a UN-run school in the Nuseirat camp, which housed displaced families, killed 16 people and wounded many others.

Israeli Military Operations Ongoing

The Israeli military reported ongoing “intelligence-based” operations in Rafah, with airstrikes targeting militants, tunnels, and other Hamas infrastructure. Approximately 40 targets, including sniping and observation posts, military structures, and buildings rigged with explosives, were hit.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad Respond

The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, a Hamas ally, claimed to have attacked Israeli forces with anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs in multiple locations. Islamic Jihad’s armed wing reported firing missiles at Sderot in southern Israel, though no casualties or significant damage were reported.

Casualty Toll Rises

Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas following an attack on southern Israeli communities last October, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 250 hostages. Since then, Gaza health authorities report that at least 38,713 Palestinians have died in Israel’s retaliatory offensive, with 326 Israeli soldiers also killed.

Funerals and Despair in Gaza

Relatives gathered at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza, to bid farewell to loved ones before funerals. “This is so unfair, the number of martyrs (victims), every minute there is a martyr,” said elderly Palestinian Sahar Abu Emeira. “We’re exhausted, we’re devastated, we are extremely tired, our patience is over. Whether Hamas or the others (Israel) they need to agree as soon as possible.”

Ceasefire Talks Paused

Efforts mediated by Egypt and Qatar to end the conflict and release hostages, as well as Palestinians in Israeli jails, had shown some progress, negotiators said. However, talks stalled on Saturday after intense negotiations failed to yield results, following an Israeli strike targeting Hamas’ top military chief, Mohammed Deif, which killed over 90 people and wounded hundreds in the Khan Younis area.

Hamas’ Position on Negotiations

A Palestinian official involved in the negotiations stated that Hamas did not want to be perceived as halting the talks despite increased Israeli attacks. “Hamas wants the war to end, not at any price. It says it has shown the flexibility needed and is pushing the mediators to get Israel to reciprocate,” the official said. Hamas believes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is adding conditions to avoid a deal, such as restricting the return of displaced people to northern Gaza and maintaining control over the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

U.S. Involvement

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller indicated that two senior advisers to Netanyahu assured that Israel remains committed to reaching a ceasefire.