On Wednesday, more than 80 Palestinians were reported killed by Israeli fire across the Gaza Strip, predominantly in Gaza City, with local hospitals confirming that women and children were among the casualties. An Israeli airstrike reportedly struck a building and tents housing displaced families in the central Daraj neighborhood, resulting in at least 20 deaths. The Israeli military asserted that its operations targeted Hamas fighters, disputing casualty numbers provided by Palestinian authorities.

Israeli tanks and troops are advancing into Gaza City, described as Hamas’s last stronghold, as part of a ground offensive aimed at securing hostages and defeating the group. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with hundreds of thousands of residents facing critical shortages of health and essential services amid ongoing conflict.

In a separate development, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned a “21-point plan for peace” presented by President Donald Trump to Arab and Muslim leaders at the UN General Assembly, though details were scarce. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) encouraged Gazans to distance themselves from Hamas, claiming it was responsible for their suffering.

The UN has raised concerns about the increasing civilian toll and destruction of infrastructure in Gaza, warning that such actions could lead to permanent displacement. Since the onset of the conflict following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, official reports indicate over 65,000 Palestinians have died in the ensuing violence.



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