Dozens killed in Gaza as Israel intensifies strikes, rescuers say

[ad_1] <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/5dcb/live/36d9f800-5839-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/5dcb/live/36d9f800-5839-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5dcb/live/36d9f800-5839-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/5dcb/live/36d9f800-5839-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/5dcb/live/36d9f800-5839-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/5dcb/live/36d9f800-5839-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/5dcb/live/36d9f800-5839-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/5dcb/live/36d9f800-5839-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Reuters Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinians reportedly killed in an overnight Israeli strike on a tent in southern Gaza, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis (3 July 2025)" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Reuters Girls and kids have been stated to have been killed in an Israeli strike on a tent in southern Gaza

Not less than 69 folks have been killed by Israeli fireplace throughout Gaza on Thursday, rescuers say, as Israel intensified its bombardment of the Palestinian territory.

One air strike killed 15 folks at a school-turned-shelter for displaced households in Gaza Metropolis, in response to the Hamas-run Civil Defence company. The Israeli army stated it focused a "key" Hamas operative based mostly there.

The Civil Defence additionally reported that 38 folks have been killed whereas queueing for help, or on their technique to choose it up. The army stated such experiences of intensive casualties have been "lies".

It comes as stress mounts on each Israel and Hamas to conform to a brand new ceasefire and hostage launch deal being pushed by US President Donald Trump.

Trump introduced on Tuesday that Israel had agreed to the "needed situations" to finalize a 60-day ceasefire. Nevertheless, there are nonetheless obstacles that would forestall a fast settlement.

Hamas has stated it's learning the proposals - the main points of which have nonetheless not been made public - however that it nonetheless desires an finish to the struggle and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will journey to Washington on Monday, has in the meantime insisted that the Palestinian armed group have to be eradicated.

On Thursday, the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) stated its plane had struck round 150 "terror targets" throughout Gaza over the earlier 24 hours, together with fighters, tunnels and weapons.

Gaza's Hamas-run well being ministry stated 118 folks had been killed throughout the identical interval.

Fifteen folks, most of them ladies and kids, have been killed when a faculty housing displaced households within the al-Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza Metropolis was struck earlier than daybreak on Thursday, the Hamas-run Civil Defence company and medics stated.

Witness Wafaa al-Arqan advised Reuters information company: "All of the sudden, we discovered the tent collapsing over us and a hearth burning... What can we do? Is it honest that each one these kids burned?"

The IDF stated it struck a "key Hamas terrorist" who was working in a "command-and-control centre" in Gaza Metropolis, with out mentioning the college.

The IDF added that it took quite a few steps to mitigate the danger of harming civilians and accused Hamas of utilizing human shields - an allegation the group has repeatedly denied.

Not less than one other 5 displaced folks have been reportedly killed when a tent was struck in a single day within the southern al-Mawasi space, the place the IDF has advised residents of areas affected by its evacuation orders to go for their very own security.

Ashraf Abu Shaba, who lived in a neighbouring tent, stated he noticed the our bodies of youngsters and ladies wrapped in blankets afterwards.

"The occupation [Israel] claims there are secure zones, however there aren't any secure zones. Each place is a goal... The scenario is insufferable," he added.

Later, Civil Defence spokesman Mahmoud Bassal advised AFP information company that one other 38 folks have been killed by Israeli forces whereas in search of help.

He stated 25 have been killed close to the Israeli army's Netzarim hall in central Gaza. Six died at one other location close by, whereas seven have been killed within the southern Rafah space, he added.

Medics at Nasser hospital within the southern metropolis of Khan Younis individually advised Reuters that no less than 20 folks have been killed whereas making their technique to an help distribution centre.

There was no direct response to the experiences from the IDF.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/a7bd/live/e2abec60-583e-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/a7bd/live/e2abec60-583e-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/a7bd/live/e2abec60-583e-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/a7bd/live/e2abec60-583e-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/a7bd/live/e2abec60-583e-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/a7bd/live/e2abec60-583e-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/a7bd/live/e2abec60-583e-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/a7bd/live/e2abec60-583e-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Reuters Palestinian men are treated after reportedly being shot by Israeli forces while trying to collect aid in southern Gaza, at Nasser hospital, Khan Younis (3 July 2025)" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Reuters Nasser hospital handled Palestinians males reportedly shot by Israeli forces whereas in search of help

Final week, the IDF stated it was analyzing experiences of civilians being harmed whereas approaching websites in southern and central Gaza run by the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Basis (GHF).

On Thursday, IDF spokesman Brig-Gen Effie Defrin acknowledged at a briefing that Israeli forces have been going through a "advanced problem" and drawing "classes from each incident to stop comparable instances sooner or later".

However he declared: "The experiences of allegations of intensive casualties within the help distribution centres are lies."

There have been experiences of lethal incidents close to the distribution websites nearly on daily basis because the GHF started working on 26 Could.

In line with Gaza's well being ministry, no less than 408 folks have been killed close to GHF centres over the previous 5 weeks. One other 175 folks have been killed in search of help elsewhere, together with alongside routes utilized by UN help convoys, it says.

The GHF, which makes use of US personal safety contractors, stated "distribution in any respect websites ran easily" on Thursday and that it had now handed out a couple of million packing containers of meals.

The GHF additionally rejected as "categorically false" allegations from a former safety contractor, who advised the BBC that he witnessed colleagues opening fireplace on civilians ready for help.

The UN and different help teams refuse to co-operate with the GHF, saying its new system contravenes basic humanitarian rules.

The US and Israel say the GHF's system will forestall help being stolen by Hamas.

The Israeli army launched a marketing campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas's 7 October 2023 assault on Israel, during which about 1,200 folks have been killed and 251 others have been taken hostage.