Palestinians surround a dead body recovered from under the rubble at the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City, January 4, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas.
Jerusalem, (EPICSTORIAN) – A series of devastating Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip has claimed the lives of at least 70 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The attacks, occurring over the past 24 hours, have further intensified the ongoing conflict, as mediators scramble to establish a ceasefire and secure the release of Israeli hostages.
Israeli Airstrikes Hit Civilian Areas
Among the casualties, 17 were killed in two separate airstrikes targeting residential homes in Gaza City. One of the homes, belonging to the Al-Ghoula family, was struck in the early hours of Saturday morning.
“We were woken by the sound of a huge explosion around 2 a.m.,” said Ahmed Ayyan, a neighbor of the destroyed home. “Most of the victims were women and children. They were civilians—no one in that house was involved in any resistance activity.”
Medics confirmed several children were among the dead, and rescue efforts continued through the day to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble. Flames and smoke still lingered in the ruins hours later.
A subsequent strike on another house in Gaza City claimed five more lives, with at least 10 others feared trapped under the debris, according to the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service. Additional strikes in northern Jabalia and near Deir al-Balah added six more fatalities to the mounting death toll.
Israeli Military Operations
The Israeli military reported ongoing operations in Beit Hanoun, a northern town in the Gaza enclave, where forces destroyed a military complex allegedly used by Hamas. However, the military has not commented on the civilian casualties reported in Gaza City.
The death toll, which rose to 70 on Saturday, marks one of the deadliest days in the 15-month conflict, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
Renewed Ceasefire Efforts
Amid the escalating violence, international mediators have intensified efforts to broker a ceasefire before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump assumes office on January 20. Israeli representatives are currently engaged in negotiations in Doha, facilitated by Qatari, Egyptian, and U.S. mediators.
Hamas, while expressing willingness to reach an agreement, remains cautious about progress. On Saturday, the group released a video of an Israeli hostage, Liri Albag, pleading for intensified efforts to secure her release.
“This is not the daughter and sister we know. Her psychological distress is evident,” Albag’s family said in a statement. They urged world leaders to expedite negotiations to save all remaining hostages.
Historical Context
The conflict traces back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israeli border communities, killing 1,200 people and capturing around 250 hostages. Israel’s military campaign, launched in retaliation, has aimed to dismantle Hamas but has led to widespread destruction in Gaza.
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The Gaza health ministry reports over 45,700 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to securing the hostages, warning, “Anyone who dares to harm our hostages will bear full responsibility for their actions.”
As the crisis deepens, calls for an immediate ceasefire grow louder, with the international community urging both sides to prioritize humanitarian relief and peace.
