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In a new Israeli escalation on Gaza, despite ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire, 33 Palestinians were killed—more than half of them children—following overnight airstrikes on the territory.

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The toll was announced Sunday by Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal, who confirmed to AFP that “civil defense crews transferred at least 33 martyrs, more than half of them children, due to a series of intense Israeli air raids after midnight and at dawn today, Sunday, in various areas of the Gaza Strip.”

Basal clarified that at least 22 people were killed and 100 wounded after Israeli airstrikes targeted several tents housing displaced families in the al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

A man and his son were also killed when their home was bombed in the al-Fukhari neighborhood, east of Khan Younis, according to Basal.

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He added that two martyrs and several wounded, including two children, were transported to al-Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, following an Israeli airstrike on a home in the town of Zawaida.

Several airstrikes were also reported in the north of the Strip. Basal noted that “at least seven martyrs and a number of injuries occurred after the occupation bombed a home belonging to the Maqqat family on al-Zarqa Street in Jabalia town,” in northern Gaza.

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He also reported “serious damage” to buildings at al-Awda Hospital in the Tel al-Zaatar area of the Jabalia camp and said that the eastern and northern areas of Khan Younis were subjected to intense artillery shelling Sunday morning.

In a statement, Hamas condemned the targeting and burning of displacement tents with civilians inside as “a new barbaric crime.”

The group added, “The U.S. administration, by granting political and military cover to the occupation government, bears direct responsibility for this insane escalation and the targeting of civilians” in the Gaza Strip.

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Negotiations and a Potential Agreement

Israel’s public broadcaster reported that negotiations between Israel and Hamas are nearing an expected deal that would involve the immediate release of 10 hostages in exchange for a two-month ceasefire.

A source familiar with the discussions said there is momentum in the talks and a breakthrough may occur within the next 24 hours.

According to the proposed plan, ten living hostages would be released simultaneously, along with an immediate ceasefire lasting between six and eight weeks.

The deal also requires Hamas to provide, on the tenth day of the agreement, a list detailing the status of all hostages in its custody, whether alive or dead.

The primary point of contention remains the release of between 200 and 250 Palestinian prisoners.

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Military Operations

Following a two-month ceasefire, Israel resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18, seizing large swaths of territory.

On Saturday, the Israeli army announced that it had launched “extensive strikes and troop movements to take control of areas” in Gaza.

The military stated that its goal was “to free the hostages and defeat Hamas,” referring to the captives held since the unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

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