Rising Toll: 81 Palestinians Dead in Latest Israeli Strikes in Gaza

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has escalated, with a reported 81 Palestinians killed and hundreds injured following a wave of Israeli airstrikes. Witnesses describe the devastation as aid efforts struggle in the face of ongoing violence. Meanwhile, international mediators are working to establish a ceasefire.

At least 81 Palestinians have died and over 400 have been injured in the past 24 hours due to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry on Saturday. Among those killed were at least 11 individuals, including children, when a strike hit near a stadium in Gaza City, which was serving as shelter for displaced people. Eyewitnesses and hospital staff reported people desperately digging through the sand to recover bodies.

In the midst of this turmoil, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism for a potential ceasefire agreement within the week, as Qatari mediators work to apply pressure for a resolution following a recent truce between Israel and Iran. Previous attempts at a ceasefire were unsuccessful, with the last agreement evolving into a collapse amid renewed violence.

Efforts for a new ceasefire are reportedly intensifying, according to a senior Hamas official. Protests took place in Tel Aviv advocating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, emphasizing the push for an end to hostilities.

Friday night’s airstrikes in Gaza City where tents housing displaced individuals were destroyed, left families grieving. Ahmed Qishawi, one eyewitness, expressed outrage at the attacks, stating, “There are no wanted people here…only civilian residents, children, who were targeted with no mercy.” Video footage corroborated accounts of civilians and emergency responders urgently searching for survivors in the rubble.

Tragically, the violence continued on Saturday afternoon, with more strikes in the Tuffah neighborhood resulting in additional casualties, including five children. Witness Mohammad Haboub mournfully recounted the loss of family members, questioning the justification behind the attacks on civilians.

The health ministry in Gaza revealed that rescue operations for those trapped under debris are hampered by ongoing conflicts and access issues. The Israel Defense Forces acknowledged the elimination of Hakham Muhammad Issa al-Issa, a senior Hamas military leader, asserting that he was involved in orchestrating attacks against Israel. Since the onset of hostilities, an estimated 56,000 have lost their lives in Gaza, underscoring the profound humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold amidst the fighting.