At least 24 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a tent encampment sheltering displaced families in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, local health authorities reported on Sunday, as part of a wider escalation that has left more than 150 people dead in the past 24 hours alone. The militant group Hamas condemned the strike as a “new brutal crime” and blamed the United States for backing Israel’s military operations.
The Israeli military has not issued a direct statement on this particular strike but confirmed ongoing “extensive strikes” as part of its war aims.
The attack in Khan Younis also injured dozens and set several tents ablaze, with women and children among the victims. The death toll since the renewed offensive began in mid-March exceeds 3,000 now, as per Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Israel launches new offensive: ‘Operation Gideon’s Chariots’
On Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the start of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, describing it as a major military push against Hamas led with “great force.” The goal, Israeli officials said, is to eliminate Hamas’s presence and secure the release of Israeli hostages still believed to be alive in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed he was in constant contact with Israel’s negotiating team in Doha, Qatar, and US envoy Steve Witkoff. Despite the military push, Netanyahu instructed negotiators to remain in Qatar for indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas according to Reuters.
Stalled talks in Doha
Mediators from Egypt and Qatar, backed by the United States, hosted another round of talks this weekend. However, there has been no breakthrough, as both sides remain firm on their positions, reported Reuters.
Hamas insists any agreement must lead to a full ceasefire and complete withdrawal of Israeli troops — a demand Israel has rejected. Meanwhile, Israel’s military said it won’t stop until the hostages are returned and Hamas is dismantled.
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The Israeli army claimed to have dismantled an “underground route” in northern Gaza and killed dozens of Hamas fighters but offered no comment on specific strikes.
Aid agencies concerned
Gaza has now endured over two months of an Israeli blockade that has cut off food, water, fuel, and medicine for more than 2 million people, as per the United Nations. The UN and major aid agencies have called on Israel to lift restrictions immediately. “It is ready to be activated — today — if we are simply allowed to do our jobs,” said Tom Fletcher, the UN humanitarian chief, referring to over 160,000 pallets of aid currently blocked from entry.
A new US-backed group called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation plans to begin limited aid delivery by the end of the month, but major agencies including the UN have refused to participate, calling the system unaligned with humanitarian principles, reported Al Jazeera.
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Growing protests and global condemnation
In Tel Aviv, hundreds of protesters rallied Saturday night, demanding the government finalise a hostage deal and end the war. Some held photos of Palestinian children killed in Gaza.
Meanwhile, accusations of genocide against Israel have gained momentum globally. Critics, including international legal experts and humanitarian officials, point to the indiscriminate civilian toll, use of starvation as a weapon, and systematic destruction of infrastructure in Gaza.
The International Court of Justice is expected to deliver a preliminary ruling soon on South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide under the Genocide Convention, reported Reuters.
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Death toll so far
- Over 150 people were killed in the last 24 hours alone.
- More than 53,000 Palestinians have died from Israeli strikes between October 2023 and May 2025, as per Gaza Health Ministry.
- Around 251 people have been taken hostage, according to Reuters.
- About 23 hostages are believed to still be alive in Gaza, reported Reuters.
- About 1,200 Israeli civilians have been killed since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, as per Gaza Health Ministry.
(With inputs from Al Jazeera, Reuters, Gaza Health Ministry, United Nations OCHA)
