Deadly Strikes in Gaza: 30 Palestinians Killed Amid Ceasefire Hopes

Israeli airstrikes on Saturday killed 30 Palestinians in Gaza, marking one of the deadliest days since a ceasefire agreement took effect in October. Hospitals reported that the strikes hit multiple areas, including an apartment building in Gaza City and a tent in Khan Younis. Among the casualties were two women and six children from separate families.

The attacks came just a day before the Rafah border crossing with Egypt is set to reopen, a vital lifeline for Palestinians seeking medical treatment outside Gaza. All border crossings in the territory have been closed since the start of the war, leaving tens of thousands in urgent need of supplies and care.

In Gaza City, Shifa Hospital said an airstrike killed a mother, her three children, and a relative. Meanwhile, a strike in a tent camp in Khan Younis caused a fire, killing seven people, including a father, his three children, and three grandchildren, according to Nasser Hospital.

The violence highlights the fragile nature of the ceasefire, which had aimed to halt the fighting in the region. Even as negotiations and humanitarian openings continue, the rising death toll underscores the ongoing risks for civilians in Gaza.