Deir al-Balah (Gaza Strip), July 12, 2025: At least 52 Palestinians, including four children and two women, were killed across the Gaza Strip on Friday and Saturday in a series of Israeli airstrikes and shooting incidents near aid distribution points, according to Palestinian hospital officials and eyewitnesses.
Thirteen people were killed in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, following intense airstrikes late Friday, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reported. Another 15 fatalities were recorded in Khan Younis in the south, according to Nasser Hospital. Among the victims were several children and women.
Separately, at least 24 people were reportedly shot and killed near a food distribution center close to Rafah, operated by a U.S.-backed Israeli organization. Witnesses and wounded survivors claimed they were fired upon while approaching the site for humanitarian aid.
The Israeli military, in a brief statement, acknowledged it had fired warning shots at individuals who appeared to be acting suspiciously near the area but said it was not aware of any casualties resulting from that incident. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation also stated that no incident occurred at any of its facilities.
The conflict, triggered by the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, continues to exact a devastating toll. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the Israeli offensive has now killed over 57,800 Palestinians, with more than half reported to be women and children. The ministry does not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties, though UN and international agencies recognize its statistics as the most consistent available.
Amid the ongoing violence, U.S. President Donald Trump said progress is being made toward a new ceasefire deal, aimed at releasing remaining hostages and potentially de-escalating the conflict. However, recent talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yielded no immediate breakthrough. Hamas is still believed to be holding around 50 hostages, with at least 20 presumed alive.
