Israel Strikes Kill 38 in Gaza, Including Children

Israeli airstrikes over the past 24 hours have killed at least 38 people in Gaza, including children, according to local health officials. The death toll is likely higher, as hospitals in northern Gaza remain inaccessible for a second consecutive day.

Among the victims was a Palestinian pediatrician who lost nine of her ten children in a Friday airstrike near Khan Younis. Only her 11-year-old child and husband, also a doctor, survived, both severely injured. The children’s remains were recovered from the rubble and placed in a single body bag, according to a colleague at Nasser Hospital.

“They were innocent,” said the children’s uncle, Ismail al-Najjar. “The youngest was only 7 months old. My brother had no ties to any faction.”

The Israeli military said it is reviewing the incident but has frequently blamed civilian casualties on Hamas' operations in densely populated areas.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that more than 3,785 people have died since Israel resumed its offensive in March, ending a temporary ceasefire. The war, now in its 19th month, was sparked by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 hostages taken. Israel says 58 hostages remain in Gaza, around a third of whom are believed to be alive.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. After blocking all food, medicine, and fuel for over two months, Israel allowed limited aid last week following international pressure and warnings of famine. However, aid levels remain far below pre-war averages — just 107 trucks entered on Sunday, compared to around 600 per day during the ceasefire, according to the U.N.

The U.N. has rejected a U.S.-backed Israeli plan to control aid deliveries, citing concerns over neutrality and independence. Jake Wood, head of the newly formed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, resigned on Sunday, stating that it was “not possible to implement this plan while strictly adhering to humanitarian principles.”

U.N. World Food Program Director Cindy McCain also challenged Israeli claims that Hamas was responsible for looting aid. “These people are desperate,” she told CBS. “They see a food truck, and they run for it.”

Meanwhile, the Israeli military confirmed more deadly airstrikes in Deir al-Balah and Jabaliya. One strike killed a mother and two children; another killed at least five, including two women and a child.

The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed two staff members were killed Friday when shelling hit their home in Khan Younis.

“This is not an endless war,” said Israel’s military chief, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, during a visit to Khan Younis. However, recent ceasefire negotiations in Qatar failed to yield results. Hamas maintains it will only release hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal.

The broader regional conflict continues to simmer. On Sunday, Israel intercepted a missile launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, triggering air raid sirens in Jerusalem. There were no reported casualties.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem renewed demands for Israel to withdraw from five disputed border points and cease its airstrikes before any negotiations over the group’s disarmament can take place. “We have fulfilled our side of the ceasefire agreement,” Kassem said. “Now let Israel meet its obligations.”

The Toll So Far:

- 53,000+ Palestinians killed since Oct. 2023, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Women and children make up the majority of the reported casualties.

- 251 hostages were taken in the October 7 attack; around 58 remain in Gaza.

- Humanitarian aid remains critically low, with limited trucks entering and a collapsing health system overwhelmed by malnutrition and injury.

International Engagement:
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Israel Sunday, meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and visiting the Western Wall, amid growing international scrutiny over Israel’s Gaza policy and the worsening humanitarian catastrophe.