Israeli strikes kill 43, including children, in Gaza

Two Palestinians watch smoke billowing after Israeli strikes on Jabalia in northern Gaza on July 13, 2025, as Israel and Hamas struggle to agree on a temporary truce to halt 21 months of conflict.

Israeli air strikes on Sunday killed at least 43 Palestinians, including children, at a water distribution point in Gaza, according to the civil defence agency, as ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas stalled after a week of negotiations.

Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said eight children were among 10 victims of a drone strike at a water point in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Israel’s military blamed a “technical error”, stating the munition fell short of its intended target.

In total, air strikes across Gaza killed at least 43 people, including 11 at a Gaza City market, Bassal added.

Residents described scenes of devastation. “Our neighbour and his children were under the rubble,” said Khaled Rayyan from Nuseirat. Another resident, Mahmud al-Shami, urged negotiators to reach a ceasefire, saying, “What happened to us has never happened in the entire history of humanity.”

The Israeli military said its air force struck more than 150 “terror targets” in the past 24 hours, releasing aerial footage of explosions around Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza.

Media restrictions and access issues prevent independent verification of casualty figures.

The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that killed 1,219 people, has now lasted 21 months. Gaza’s health ministry reports at least 58,026 Palestinians killed in Israel’s retaliatory campaign, mostly civilians, figures the UN considers credible.

Meanwhile, Gaza faces a deepening humanitarian crisis. UN agencies warn fuel supplies are critically low, threatening essential services for Gaza’s over two million residents. Only 150,000 litres of fuel have been allowed in over recent days—well below the 275,000 litres needed daily.

Ceasefire talks in Doha remain deadlocked, with both sides accusing each other of obstructing progress. Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal, while Israel reportedly seeks to retain control over large areas of Gaza.

US President Donald Trump expressed cautious optimism on Sunday, saying he hoped for a breakthrough in the coming week.

In Israel, public pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Netanyahu to secure the release of remaining hostages. Protesters projected images of captives onto buildings near his office, demanding urgent action.