Israeli strikes killed no less than 34 people in Gaza City in a single day, together with kids, mentioned health officers on Sunday (September 21, 2025), as Israel presses ahead with its offensive in the famine-stricken metropolis and several other international locations put together to recognise a Palestinian state.
Health officers at Shifa Hospital, the place most of the our bodies have been introduced, mentioned the lifeless included 14 people killed in a late-night strike on Saturday (September 20, 2025), which hit a residential block in the southern facet of the town. Health employees mentioned a nurse who labored on the hospital was among the many lifeless, alongside along with his spouse and three kids.
Israel didn’t touch upon the strikes.
The newest Israeli operation, which started this week, additional escalates a battle that has roiled the West Asia and sure pushes any ceasefire additional out of attain. The Israeli navy, which has informed Palestinians to go away, hasn’t given a timeline for the offensive, however there have been indications it may take months. Israel says the operation is supposed to stress Hamas into liberating hostages and surrendering.
Saturday evening’s strikes come as some distinguished Western international locations put together to recognise Palestinian statehood on the gathering of world leaders on the United Nations General Assembly on Monday. They embrace the UK, France, Canada, (*34*), Malta, Belgium and Luxembourg. Portugal’s Foreign Affairs Ministry mentioned it’s going to recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday.
Ahead of the U.N. meeting, peace activists in Israel have hailed the deliberate recognition of a Palestinian state. On Sunday, a bunch of greater than 60 Jewish and Arab organisations representing about 1,000 activists, together with some veteran organisations selling peace and coexistence, referred to as It’s Time Coalition, referred to as for an finish to the battle, the discharge of the hostages and the popularity of a Palestinian state.
“We refuse to reside without end by the sword. The UN determination affords a historic alternative to maneuver from a demise entice to life, from an countless messianic battle to a future of safety and freedom for each peoples,” said the coalition in a video statement.
On Saturday night, tens of thousands of people in Israel protested, calling for an end to the war and a hostage deal.
Yet a ceasefire remains elusive. Israeli bombardment over the past 23 months has killed more than 65,000 people in Gaza, destroyed vast areas of the strip, displaced around 90 per cent of the population and caused a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with experts saying Gaza City is experiencing famine.
In a statement on Sunday, the military stated it killed Majed Abu Selmiya, who it said was a sniper for Hamas’ military wing and was preparing to carry out more attacks in the Gaza City area, without providing evidence.
Majed was the brother of the director of Shifa hospital, Dr Mohamed Abu Selmiya, who called the allegations a lie and said Israel was trying to justify the killing of civilians. Dr Selmiya told The Associated Press that his brother, 57, suffered from hypertension, diabetes and had vision problems.
As the attacks continue, Israel has ordered hundreds of thousands of Palestinians sheltering in Gaza City to move south to what it calls a humanitarian zone and opened another corridor south of the city for two days this week to allow more people to evacuate.
Palestinians were streaming out of Gaza City by car and on foot, though many are unwilling to be uprooted again, too weak to leave or unable to afford the cost of moving.
Along the coastal Wadi Gaza route, those too exhausted to continue stopped to catch their breath and give their children a much-needed break from the difficult journey.
Aid groups have warned that forcing thousands of people to evacuate will exacerbate the dire humanitarian crisis. They are appealing for a ceasefire so aid can reach those who need it.
Pope Leo XIV blasted what he called the “forced exile” of Palestinians from their homes in Gaza, saying there was no future for the “martyred” Gaza Strip based on violence and vendetta.
During his Sunday noon blessing, Pope Leo issued another appeal for peace and expressed appreciation for the work of Catholic organisations active in helping Palestinians, which had representatives present in St. Peter’s Square.
Families of hostages still held by Hamas have accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of condemning their loved ones to death by continuing to fight rather than negotiating an end to the war.
Published – September 21, 2025 06:14 pm IST