At least 80 Palestinians were killed across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, according to health officials, as Israel escalated its military strikes amid ongoing negotiations to reach a ceasefire. The fatalities include dozens of people seeking humanitarian aid, underscoring the severe risks faced by civilians in the conflict zone.
A source informed CNN that Hamas officials were scheduled to meet on Thursday to prepare a response to the latest ceasefire proposal, which Israel has accepted. The talks represent a critical moment as both sides consider halting the prolonged and deadly hostilities.
Among the dead were 15 people killed at a school converted into a displacement facility in Gaza City. The director of Al-Shifa hospital, Dr. Mohammad Abu Silmiya, reported that 25 others were injured in the strike, many suffering severe burns. Al-Shifa hospital is currently treating the wounded from the attack.
This deadly escalation comes amid a broader humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 56,000 Palestinians have been reported killed since the conflict began in October 2023, with a significant majority being civilians, including women and children. The Gaza Health Ministry continues to document casualties, while international organizations express deep concern over the mounting civilian toll.
The violence has also targeted civilians waiting for aid, with previous incidents involving Israeli forces firing on crowds seeking food distribution, resulting in dozens of deaths. The ongoing hostilities have severely strained Gaza’s medical facilities and infrastructure.
As ceasefire negotiations advance, the international community watches closely, hoping for an end to the bloodshed that has devastated Gaza’s population over the past 21 months.