**Deadly Israeli Strikes in Gaza Leave 81 Palestinians Dead, Hundreds Injured**
In a devastating escalation of the conflict, at least 81 Palestinians have been killed and over 400 injured in Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours. The Hamas-run Health Ministry reported the toll, which includes a strike near an arena in Gaza City where 11 people, including some children, were killed.
**Eyewitness Accounts Describe Chaos and Horror**
Witnesses described the scene as “chaotic” and “horrific”, with people digging in the sand to find bodies. BBC footage showed civilians using spades and their bare hands to search for victims, a desperate effort to recover the dead in the aftermath of the strike.
**Israeli Military Claims It Was Unaware of Civilian Casualties**
The Israeli military claimed that it was “unaware” of any injuries caused by the strike, aside from a “suspicious person who posed a danger” to its forces. However, witnesses and hospital staff contradicted this claim, saying that civilians were targeted in the attack.
**US President Trump Calls for Ceasefire Agreement**
US President Donald Trump expressed his hope that a ceasefire agreement could be reached in the coming week, following a 12-day truce between Israel and Iran. Qatari mediators have also intensified their efforts to broker a deal, but negotiations with Israel are still stalled.
**Stalled Negotiations and Humanitarian Crisis**
A senior Hamas official said that the BBC mediators had stepped up their efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages in Gaza. However, talks with Israel remain deadlocked, leaving civilians trapped in the midst of escalating violence.
**Civilians Caught in Crossfire**
The Israeli attacks on Gaza continue, with hospital staff and witnesses confirming that at least 11 people were killed in the strike near Gaza City’s Palestine Stadium on Friday evening. One witness described hearing a large explosion after a road was hit, saying “this area was crowded with tents. Now the tents are buried under the sand.”
**Humanitarian Crisis Deepens**
The BBC has verified footage of civilians and emergency services digging in the sand to find bodies, highlighting the desperate situation in Gaza. Fourteen people, including children, were reported dead in an attack on a tent and apartment block in the al-Mawasi region.
**Children and Innocent Civilians Pay the Price**
What did these children do? What is their fault? Suad Abu Tiama, the grandmother of the children who were killed, asked this question, highlighting the tragedy of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. “We are civilians,” she said. “Why are they harming us?”
**Questions Remain Unanswered**
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, questions remain unanswered about the Israeli military’s actions and the international community’s response to the unfolding tragedy. The BBC will continue to bring you updates on this developing story.
Read More @ www.bbc.com
