Daijiworld Media Network - Gaza
Gaza, Jul 14: Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 32 Palestinians on Sunday, including six children at a water collection point in Nuseirat, as the conflict's death toll surged past 58,000, according to Gaza’s health authorities.
Among the dead were those queuing for water—witnesses say around 20 children and 14 adults were present when the strike hit. The Israeli military admitted to a ‘technical error,’ saying the munitions fell several meters off-target while aiming for a militant.
“There is no safe place,” said Nuseirat resident Raafat Fanouna as locals searched the rubble with bare hands. Al-Awda Hospital confirmed receiving 10 bodies from the scene, six of them children.
Elsewhere, Israeli strikes killed 11 people in central Gaza City and nine in Zawaida, including women and children. Dr. Ahmed Qandil, a well-known surgeon, was among those killed while en route to Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital.
In total, Israel claimed it hit over 150 “militant targets” in the past 24 hours, while continuing to blame Hamas for operating from civilian-populated areas. Gaza’s Health Ministry says women and children make up over half of the fatalities. While the ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants, the UN considers its figures credible.
Ceasefire talks stall as tensions mount
Despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent Washington visit, ceasefire talks remain deadlocked. Hamas demands full Israeli withdrawal and an end to the war in exchange for releasing the remaining 50 hostages, of whom around 20 are believed alive. Israel refuses unless Hamas surrenders, disarms, and leaves Gaza.
Frustrated families of hostages demonstrated outside Netanyahu’s office Sunday. “The majority of Israel wants a deal, even if it means ending the war,” said Jon Polin, father of slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
Violence spreads in West Bank
Meanwhile, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, two Palestinians, including Palestinian-American Sayfollah Musallet, were killed, allegedly by Israeli settlers. Musallet, 23, was reportedly beaten on his family's land, while his friend Mohammed al-Shalabi was shot. Their funerals drew large crowds waving Palestinian flags.
Musallet’s family has called on the US State Department to investigate his death. Washington has yet to comment.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, Israel’s Energy Minister Eli Cohen made a chilling declaration on right-wing Channel 14, saying, “Gaza should remain an island of ruins for the next decades,” drawing strong criticism from global rights groups.