At least 17 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, as international calls intensified for a ceasefire in the nearly year-long war. According to local health officials, 12 people — including eight children — died when an Israeli strike hit a house and tent in the central town of Zawaida.Another girl was killed in a separate airstrike on a tent in Deir al-Balah, while four others were killed in Khan Younis when an apartment building was hit.The escalating civilian death toll has prompted renewed global appeals for a ceasefire. Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, French President Emmanuel Macron said France recognized a Palestinian state in hopes of isolating Hamas. He criticized Israel’s ongoing offensive as ineffective, stating, “Total war in Gaza is causing civilian casualties but can’t bring about the end of Hamas… Factually, it’s a failure.” Macron added that he urged US President Donald Trump to pressure Israel toward a ceasefire, stressing the need for a viable peace path.Meanwhile, several European nations — including France, Belgium, Malta, and Luxembourg — formally recognized a Palestinian state, joining others like the UK, Canada, and Australia. Their announcements aim to revive momentum for a two-state solution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move, accusing world leaders of supporting “murderers, rapists, and child burners.” Before leaving for New York to address the UNGA, Netanyahu vowed to “speak our truth” and reaffirm Israel’s opposition to Palestinian statehood in its current form.
While in New York, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s lead negotiator Steve Witkoff promoted a “Trump 21-point plan for peace,” which was reportedly presented to Arab leaders. However, key details remain undisclosed, and it’s unclear whether either Israel or Hamas has endorsed the proposal. Netanyahu is expected to discuss the plan with Trump in Washington after his UNGA speech, emphasizing goals such as defeating Hamas, returning hostages, and expanding regional peace.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has since killed over 65,000 people in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which states that women and children make up about half the casualties. While the ministry is run by Hamas, its figures are widely cited by UN agencies and international observers as the most consistent source of wartime data.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, especially in Gaza City, where famine conditions persist. More than 300,000 have fled, but an estimated 700,000 remain trapped, unable to afford relocation.