Israeli Strikes Across Gaza Strip Today Kills Over 37; Plus Other Latest Gaza News Updates
PALESTINE – Fresh Israeli strikes across Gaza Strip today have left at least 37 people dead in the early hours of Thursday as reported by WAFA News Agency. Among them, 23 were killed in a single airstrike on a family home in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza according to medics.
Seven people, including women and children, were killed in an airstrike on a home belonging to the Azzam family in the town of Jabalia, northern Gaza.
Meanwhile, a man and his pregnant wife were killed as a drone struck a group of civilians in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
A body of a victim was separately removed from the rubble in the town of Abasan, Khan Younis.
A 13-year-old child was also killed in a strike on a tent for displaced people in the city of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Yesterday, the Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian crowds at aid distribution center, wounding over 47.
According Palestinian health ministry, the current Gaza war death toll is over 54,249 with at least 123,492 suffering injuries.
2 Palestinians Killed in Commotion at an Aid Warehouse in Gaza
The World Food Program (WFP) has reported that two Palestinians were killed when dozens of people stormed an aid warehouse in the central Gaza Strip in search of food, with famine levels growing due to the ongoing Israeli closure of crossings and denial of aid entry since early March.
“Hordes of hungry people broke into WFP’s Al-Ghafari warehouse in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, in search of food supplies that were pre-positioned for distribution,” the UN food agency said in a statement late Wednesday.
It added that “initial reports indicate two people died and several were injured in the tragic incident.”
“Humanitarian needs have spiraled out of control after (Israel’s) 80 days of complete blockade of all assistance and other aid into Gaza,” WFP also said.
It stressed that the war-devastated Palestinian enclave “needs an immediate scale-up of food assistance. This is the only way to reassure people that they will not starve.”
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich Calls Potential Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal Foolish
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized the possibility of signing a partial hostage exchange deal with the Palestinian group Hamas, calling it “foolish.”
In a post Wednesday on X, Smotrich claimed that Hamas has been under tremendous pressure and distress in recent days due to a change in the aid distribution system and its loss of control over the population in Gaza.
“We need to continue tightening the noose around its neck and force it to agree to a complete surrender deal, with (the release of) all the hostages at once,” he said.
“It would be absurdly foolish to release the pressure now and sign a partial deal with it that would provide it oxygen and a lifeline and allow it to recover.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded indirectly, without naming Smotrich.
In his own post, Saar said Israel responded positively 11 days ago to a US proposal for the release of hostages but that Hamas has so far rejected the offer.
“However, as long as there is a chance to release the hostages, it should be pursued — this is the will of the overwhelming majority of the people in Israel. Action should be taken according to national interests, not based on political pressure and threats,” he added.
Earlier, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported that Israeli officials involved in indirect negotiations with Hamas are speaking of a “positive development” regarding the possibility of reaching a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal in Gaza.
The broadcaster quoted unnamed Israeli officials participating in the talks as saying that the coming days are “extremely critical.”
It also cited unnamed foreign sources as saying that if Israel shows flexibility on ending the war, the agreement could be signed tomorrow.
Statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office often come from anonymous sources distributed to the media.
Hamas has repeatedly offered to release Israeli captives “all at once” in exchange for ending the war, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Netanyahu, however, has resisted those terms, instead calling for the disarmament of Palestinian resistance factions and signaling plans to reoccupy Gaza.
Israel estimates that 58 hostages remain in Gaza, including 20 believed to be alive. Meanwhile, more than 10,100 Palestinians are being held in Israeli prisons under harsh conditions, including reports of torture, starvation and medical neglect, according to Palestinian and Israeli rights groups.
The Israeli opposition and families of the hostages have accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war to appease his far-right coalition partners and maintain power.
American Aid Group to Open New Distribution Center in Central Gaza
A US aid group will open a new distribution point in the central Gaza Strip on Thursday, days after failing to distribute aid to starving Palestinians in southern Gaza, Israeli media said.
“The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) will open a third distribution point in central Gaza, south of the Netzarim Corridor,” Israel’s Army Radio said.
The Israeli-established corridor separates northern Gaza from the south.
The Israel-backed group previously opened two distribution points in the southern city of Rafah.
“The new point is primarily intended for Palestinians living in the central part of Gaza, who currently number around 500,000 according to Israeli military estimates,” the radio said.
“This point will provide food and humanitarian aid to 300,000 Palestinians from Gaza on a weekly basis.”
The radio earlier reported that Israel’s plan for humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza aims to turn the territory’s north into a “completely depopulated area.”
On Wednesday, the GHF suspended its aid distribution in Rafah, citing “civil disorder” after thousands of Palestinians rushed into the centers.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that reports about aid distribution by the GHF risk distracting from the urgent humanitarian priorities in Gaza, such as sustained access, safe conditions, and expedited approval of emergency supplies.
Critics also warn that requiring Palestinians to travel long distances to southern Gaza distribution points could force displacement and endanger civilians.
Israel has kept Gaza crossings closed to food, medical and humanitarian aid since March 2, deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis in the enclave, according to government, human rights and international reports.
