70 killed in Gaza today as Israeli strikes escalate and ceasefire talks intensify
ALBAWABA- At least 70 Palestinians have been killed in continued Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip since dawn today, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. Also Read Israeli strikes kill 79, wound 163 in Gaza in single day
Among the casualties, three people were killed near Shaaban al-Rayyes School in the al-Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza City. Several others were injured in separate Israeli shelling that targeted residential homes in the same area.
The humanitarian toll is deepening, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that Al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza is now out of service following an evacuation order.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed the facility is no longer operational, further straining Gaza's already collapsing healthcare system.
Human Rights Watch also issued a strong rebuke of the international community's inaction. 'The world has not done enough to protect hospitals in Gaza,' said the group's Israel and Palestine Director in an interview with Al Jazeera. She emphasized that 'civilians must be protected amid atrocities and war crimes.'
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire continue. The White House announced Thursday that Israel has accepted U.S. President Donald Trump's latest ceasefire proposal, which was submitted to Hamas by Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff.
#UPDATE White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that US President Donald Trump and his envoy Steve Witkoff "submitted a ceasefire proposal to Hamas that Israel backed and supported. Israel signed off on this proposal before it was sent to Hamas." pic.twitter.com/ULSIDoCfGM — AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 29, 2025
'Israel backed and supported this proposal before it was sent to Hamas,' said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Discussions with Hamas are still ongoing.
According to Israeli media, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chaired a 3.5-hour security cabinet meeting focused on ceasefire talks and prisoner exchange negotiations.
On the ground, fighting remains intense. One Israeli soldier was reportedly killed in an attack on a military bulldozer unit in northern Gaza, while two others were injured, one critically, in separate clashes in the south.
Hamas has not yet issued a final stance on the U.S.-backed proposal. A senior source from the group told Al Jazeera that 'reports about Hamas's position are inaccurate,' adding that the movement is still reviewing the plan 'with national responsibility.' At least 70 Palestinians have been killed in continued Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip since dawn today, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. Among the casualties, three people were killed near Shaaban al-Rayyes School in the al-Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza City. Several others were injured in separate Israeli shelling that targeted residential homes in the same area. The humanitarian toll is deepening, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that Al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza is now out of service following an evacuation order. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed the facility is no longer operational, further straining Gaza's already collapsing healthcare system. Human Rights Watch also issued a strong rebuke of the international community's inaction. 'The world has not done enough to protect hospitals in Gaza,' said the group's Israel and Palestine Director in an interview with Al Jazeera. She emphasized that 'civilians must be protected amid atrocities and war crimes.' Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire continue. The White House announced Thursday that Israel has accepted U.S. President Donald Trump's latest ceasefire proposal, which was submitted to Hamas by Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff. 'Israel backed and supported this proposal before it was sent to Hamas,' said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Discussions with Hamas are still ongoing. According to Israeli media, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chaired a 3.5-hour security cabinet meeting focused on ceasefire talks and prisoner exchange negotiations. On the ground, fighting remains intense. One Israeli soldier was reportedly killed in an attack on a military bulldozer unit in northern Gaza, while two others were injured—one critically—in separate clashes in the south. Hamas has not yet issued a final stance on the U.S.-backed proposal. A senior source from the group told Al Jazeera that 'reports about Hamas's position are inaccurate,' adding that the movement is still reviewing the plan 'with national responsibility.'
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