28 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Strikes as Ceasefire Talks Continue

continuing violence that has persisted for over a year since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. The strikes targeted a family home in central Gaza’s Deir el-Balah and a school sheltering displaced Palestinians, with the Israeli military claiming the school had been used by Hamas as a base for military operations.

The death toll from these attacks included 13 people in Deir el-Balah and 8 others, including four children, in Gaza City’s school. The attack on the school, repurposed as a shelter, sparked a sharp response from Palestinian groups, while the Israeli military insisted the strike was a “precise operation” targeting Hamas militants.

In addition to these incidents, airstrikes in Rafah and a drone strike in Gaza City on Sunday morning killed additional Palestinians. Despite the ongoing violence, Palestinian groups including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine stated that a ceasefire deal was “closer than ever” and urged for continued negotiations with Israel, with a potential hostage release deal also on the table.

However, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning Israel’s refusal to commit to a full military withdrawal from Gaza and the governance of the territory post-conflict. Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns continue to grow as the death toll in Gaza reaches over 45,000 people, according to local health ministry reports.

Pope Francis condemned the violence, calling the bombing of children an act of “cruelty,” which sparked a heated response from Israel accusing the pontiff of double standards. The call for peace comes as both sides face mounting international scrutiny over their actions in the ongoing conflict.