Israeli Strike Claims Lives of Children in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Negotiations

Key Takeaways

An Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, killed at least 15 Palestinians, including eight children and two women, near a medical facility where victims were queuing for nutritional supplements.
The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it targeted a Hamas operative involved in the October 7 attack, while expressing regret for civilian casualties and initiating a review.
Ceasefire negotiations in Doha between Israel and Hamas remain stalled, with significant gaps and no breakthrough, despite initial optimism and mediation by the US, Qatar, and Egypt.
Hamas criticized Israeli 'intransigence' in talks but offered to release 10 hostages as part of a broader agreement to end the conflict, which has killed over 57,000 Gazans since October 7.
The IDF suggested a potential 60-day ceasefire could lead to a permanent end to the war if Hamas disarms, but warned of resumed military operations if terms are rejected.

At least 15 Palestinians, including eight children and two women, lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike near a medical facility in central Gaza, according to local hospital officials. The attack occurred in the town of Deir al-Balah, where victims were reportedly queuing for nutritional supplements at the time of the strike.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the victims, shared graphic footage showing the bodies of several children and others lying on the floor as medical staff tended to the injured. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it had targeted a "Hamas terrorist" in the area. In a statement, the military expressed regret for "any harm to uninvolved individuals" and noted the incident is "under review."

The tragedy unfolded as indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas continued in Doha, mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. Despite initial optimism, significant gaps remain between the two sides, and no breakthrough has been achieved so far.

At the hospital's mortuary, grieving relatives wrapped the bodies of the children in white shrouds and performed funeral prayers. One woman, Intisar, told the BBC that her pregnant niece, Manal, and her young daughter, Fatima, were among the victims. Manal's son was reportedly in intensive care following the attack. "She was queuing to get the children supplements when the incident happened," Intisar said. "I don't know what happened after that."

Another woman at the scene questioned, "For what sin were they killed?" She added, "We are dying before the ears and eyes of the whole world. The whole world is watching the Gaza Strip. If people aren't killed by the Israeli army, they die trying to get aid."

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strike targeted a member of Hamas's elite Nukhba forces, who was allegedly involved in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The IDF reiterated its regret for civilian casualties and emphasized that the incident is being investigated.

Meanwhile, ceasefire talks in Doha have reportedly stalled. A senior Israeli official suggested it could take one to two weeks to reach an agreement. The official added that any 60-day ceasefire would be used to propose a permanent end to the war, contingent on Hamas disarming. If Hamas refuses, Israel has indicated it would resume military operations.

Hamas, for its part, criticized Israeli "intransigence" in the negotiations but expressed willingness to release 10 hostages as part of a broader agreement to end the Israeli offensive. The conflict, which began after Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel, has resulted in the deaths of at least 57,680 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The ongoing violence has displaced most of Gaza's population, destroyed infrastructure, and created severe shortages of essential supplies.