Deir al-Balah (Gaza Strip), Jul 13, 2025: At least 30 Palestinians, including six children, were killed in fresh Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Sunday, local health officials said, as the death toll in the ongoing war surpassed 58,000, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Despite international efforts to broker a ceasefire, no breakthrough has been achieved in the 21-month-long war. A key sticking point remains the deployment of Israeli forces during any proposed truce. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently met with U.S. officials in Washington, but talks remain stalled.
Children Killed at Water Collection Point
In Nuseirat, central Gaza, an Israeli strike hit a water collection point, killing six children and four others, according to Al-Awda Hospital. Witnesses said over 30 people, including children, were queuing for water when the strike occurred.
The Israeli military acknowledged a “technical error,” saying its munition missed the intended militant target by several metres and that the incident is under review.
In other incidents:
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11 people were killed and over 30 injured in a separate strike on a street in central Gaza City. Among the dead was Dr. Ahmed Qandil, who was en route to Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital, officials said.
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In Zawaida, a strike on a residential home killed nine, including three children and two women, as per Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.
Israel claims over 150 targets were hit in the last 24 hours, including weapons depots, rocket launchers, and sniper posts. The military blames Hamas for civilian casualties, citing its presence in densely populated areas.
Hostage Deal Standoff
Israel continues to demand Hamas’s disarmament and exile, while Hamas insists on a full Israeli withdrawal and a permanent ceasefire in exchange for the release of 50 remaining hostages, reportedly less than half of whom are alive.
The war was triggered by the October 7, 2023 attack, when Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and abducted 251 in northern Israel.
Violence in West Bank: Palestinian-American Among Dead
Tensions also flared in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where funerals were held for Palestinian-American Sayfollah Musallet, 20, and his friend Mohammed al-Shalabi.
Musallet, a Florida native, was reportedly beaten to death by Israeli settlers on his family’s land. His friend was shot in the chest, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The U.S. State Department said it is aware of the reports but has declined to comment publicly.
Rights groups have long accused the Israeli military of failing to act against settler violence, a concern that continues to grow amid the escalating unrest.
