DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli forces killed at least 55 people across the Gaza Strip overnight into Monday, including a well-known journalist whom Israel labeled a militant, as well as civilians seeking humanitarian aid, according to local health officials.
Hospitals reported at least 34 deaths on Monday, excluding journalists who were killed in a tent shortly before midnight. More than 15 people were killed while waiting for aid at the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza, said Fares Awad, head of ambulance services in northern Gaza.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to questions about the deaths. Earlier Monday, it stated that air and artillery units were operating in northern Gaza and in Khan Younis, where resident Noha Abu Shamala told The Associated Press that two drone strikes killed a family of seven in their apartment.
Among the dead were at least 12 aid seekers killed by Israeli gunfire while trying to reach distribution points or awaiting aid convoys, according to hospital officials and witnesses. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said its Saraya Field Hospital received about 30 injured from the Zikim area. Al-Shifa Hospital received five bodies and over 70 wounded, said Mohamed Abu Selmiya, the hospital’s director.
Relatives said casualties included children and an infant. Witnesses described gunfire near the Morag corridor as a near-daily occurrence, with barrages of bullets and bodies on the ground.
Israel’s military targeted an Al Jazeera correspondent with an airstrike Sunday, killing him along with seven others, including six journalists and two civilians, according to Shifa Hospital. Press advocates called the attack a brazen assault on those documenting the war.
Al Jazeera confirmed that along with its correspondent, three other slain journalists also worked for the network. The Israeli military claimed responsibility for the strike, which came less than a year after accusing Al Jazeera journalists of being members of militant groups — allegations dismissed as baseless.
Since the conflict began after the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas-led militants, which killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251, Israel’s offensive has displaced most of the population, destroyed vast areas, and pushed Gaza toward famine. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 61,400 Palestinians have died, including women and children.
Internationally, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his country’s support for recognizing a Palestinian state, joining France, Britain, and Canada, aiming to build momentum for a two-state solution to end the violence and bring leadership other than Hamas to Gaza.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced new humanitarian aid for Gaza and called for an immediate halt to hostilities, expressing deep concern about recent Israeli decisions that could escalate the conflict. Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Israel’s government has “lost reason and humanity” regarding Gaza and raised the possibility of sanctions.
Egypt confirmed it is pushing negotiations to reach a deal to end the war, release Israeli hostages, ensure aid access, and agree on a political roadmap toward Palestinian statehood. Mediators from Egypt and Qatar are working on a new framework that would include the simultaneous release of all hostages in exchange for ending the war and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff recently met with Qatar’s prime minister in Spain to discuss these efforts.
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