US pushes for ceasefire as Israel intensifies Gaza assault: 50 dead in school attack
According to Arab media, the 'school massacre' in Gaza City's al-Daraj neighborhood marked one of the deadliest single incidents since Israel resumed its campaign 70 days ago, pushing the cumulative total to 53,939 killed and 122,797 injured since October 7, 2023.
متداول| طفلة تحاول النجاة بعد أن حاصرتها النيران جراء قصف الاحتلال مدرسة فهمي الجرجاوي التي تؤوي نازحين في حي الدرج بمدينة غزة. pic.twitter.com/BakgWZvcAH
— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) May 26, 2025
An airstrike in Nuseirat killed Ashraf Abu Nar, a senior official in the territory's civil emergency service, and his wife in their house. Rescue teams also recovered 19 bodies from the rubble of a house hit in Jabalia al-Balad in northern Gaza, including local journalist Hassan Majdi Abu Warda and several family members, as heavy shelling and airstrikes targeted eastern and southern Khan Younis.
The Hamas-run Gaza government media office reported that Abu Warda's death raised the number of Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza since October 2023 to 220.
Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate. The World Health Organization said most hospitals in Gaza are operating only partially due to a lack of staff and critical supplies. The World Food Programme echoed those concerns, warning of "severe food insecurity" across the Strip.
Jake Wood—the CEO of the newly formed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, jointly backed by the US and Israel—announced his resignation. In a statement, Wood indicated that while he had helped develop 'a pragmatic plan' to address hunger and security in Gaza, it could not be implemented 'while also strictly adhering to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, which I will not abandon.'
Despite his departure, the Foundation announced that aid deliveries to Gaza would begin Monday, though concerns remain over access, safety, and adequacy.
In Washington, President Donald Trump is expected to announce a ceasefire deal tied to a hostage release arrangement, according to Sky News Arabia. The report follows Trump's remarks on Sunday, where he expressed a desire to end the war, stating, 'We want to see if we can stop that [war]. And Israel, we've been talking to them… we want to stop that whole situation as quickly as possible.'
Still, Israeli media note that the campaign is expanding, with reports suggesting objectives aimed at reoccupying the entire Gaza Strip and destroying what remains of its infrastructure—despite increasing global pressure for a humanitarian truce.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
SDF commander welcomes Syria ceasefire
Shafaq News – Damascus On Saturday, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi welcomed the ceasefire deal in Syria's southern Suwayda province, describing it as a step toward civil peace and national stability. In a post on X marking the 12th anniversary of the July 19, 2012 uprising launched from Kobani, Abdi saluted those who died during the conflict with the al-Assad regime, including those from Suwayda province, and reaffirmed his commitment to 'the revolution's principles to safeguard future generations and ensure stability.' نبارك لشعبنا، لمقاتلي ومقاتلات قوات سوريا الديمقراطية، حلول ذكرى ثورة 19 تموز التي شكلت محطة مفصلية في مسار انتصار الثورة السورية. نستذكر شهداءنا بكل إجلال، كما نستذكر شهداء محافظة السويداء، ونحيي الجهود التي أفضت إلى وقف إطلاق النار دعماً للسلم الأهلي.نجدد التزامنا بمبادئ ثورة… — Mazloum Abdî مظلوم عبدي (@MazloumAbdi) July 19, 2025 Syrian security forces deployed across parts of Suwayda earlier as part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal aimed at ending days of heavy fighting between local armed groups and Arab tribal forces. Despite the truce announcement, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported in a statement that clashes continued between Bedouin tribes and local armed factions in Suwayda city. The death toll from the fighting in Suwayda has reached 940 over the past week, according to SOHR.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Zelenskyy seeks new round of talks with Moscow
Shafaq News – Kyiv/ Moscow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Saturday that Kyiv had proposed holding talks with Moscow next week, though no details were provided on the timing, format, or agenda. So far, Russian authorities have not issued an official response. The announcement coincided with brief suspensions of flights at Moscow's Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports, following the interception of drones near the capital. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that air defense systems brought down two drones approaching the city, with emergency crews deployed to clear debris and evaluate the situation. In a Telegram post, Sobyanin noted that another drone attack attempt was also foiled. No casualties or damage were reported. Drone incidents across Russian territory have increased significantly in recent months. Since early May, over 160 attempted strikes have been recorded, some targeting Moscow and critical infrastructure. These attacks have led to repeated flight disruptions and heightened security measures around the capital.
Rudaw Net
2 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
Clashes continue in Suwayda, death toll passes 900: Watchdog
Also in Syria Syrian president confirms truce as state forces enter Suwayda US announces Israel-Syria ceasefire following deadly clashes in Suwayda Syria to deploy 'specialized force' to end Suwayda clashes Damascus denies forces re-entered Druze area A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Clashes have continued between Druze fighters and tribal groups in Syria's southern province of Suwayda, pushing the death toll to over 900 despite an internationally sponsored ceasefire announced earlier in the day, a watchdog stated on Saturday. There are 'renewed clashes in the western neighbourhoods of Al-Suwaidaa city between tribesmen and local gunmen from the Druze community following the breach of the international-sponsored ceasefire agreement which was reached today,' stated the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). 'The number of fatalities in armed clashes, exchange of bombardment, extrajudicial executions and Israeli airstrikes in different Syrian provinces… has increased to 940,' the monitor stated. The violence between armed Druze groups and Bedouin tribes began on Sunday. On Saturday morning, Washington's Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack announced that the United States had brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Syria. Israel has come out in support of the Druze and hit several targets, including Syrian state forces and an airstrike on the building of the defence ministry in Damascus. Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa confirmed the agreement that includes the deployment of state security forces to Suwayda. Government forces had pulled out of the province on Wednesday. Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that controls the northeast of the country (known to Kurds as Rojava), praised the efforts that led to a ceasefire, describing them as vital steps 'in support of civil peace.' Elham Ahmed, co-chair of Rojava's Foreign Relations Office, in a post on X on Saturday, expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Suwayda, where civilians, she said, 'face severe hardship due to siege and deteriorating conditions.' She said the Rojava administration is ready to open a humanitarian corridor to Suwayda. Opening humanitarian corridors is part of the ceasefire agreement, Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa said on Saturday. The ceasefire plan, according to the minister, consists of three phases: the initial deployment of internal security forces to de-escalate clashes and secure key routes, followed by the opening of humanitarian corridors between Daraa and Suwayda to allow the evacuation of civilians and wounded, and finally, the gradual reactivation of state institutions and full restoration of law and order. 'This is the path Suwayda needs after months of tension and exhaustion,' Mustafa said.
