Israeli forces launched another series of intense attacks across Gaza on Wednesday, killing and wounding dozens of forcibly displaced Palestinian families in shelling and air strikes.
In Khan Younis, artillery rounds struck tent encampments in Al-Mawasi, killing six people, including children, and wounding ten others despite official designations as shelter zones.
In Gaza City, shelling demolished the Zeno family's home on Jaffa Street, killing four family members, including parents Ahmed and Ayat Zeno, and their daughters Zahra and Obaida, Wafa news agency confirmed. Search and rescue teams continue to comb through the rubble for survivors.
Elsewhere, a drone strike near a tent hosting a family in Deir al-Balah, close to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, injured ten civilians.
Another drone hit Al-Karama in north Gaza, causing further casualties. Palestinian officials report that nearly 100 people were killed on Tuesday alone. Since 7 October 2023, Gaza's health ministry has recorded over 56,600 deaths and 134,000 wounded.
The Israeli military has also threatened residents in three areas of Khan Younis to evacuate immediately ahead of potential strikes and move north to designated shelters in Deir al-Balah. Two of the targeted areas in Khan Younis, previously marked for evacuation, have seen repeated displacement orders in recent months.
Repeated Israeli evacuation orders have pushed tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians into increasingly dire conditions in central Gaza. Many are sheltering in makeshift tents in Deir al-Balah, where infrastructure is severely overstretched and access to clean water, medical care, and food remains limited.
Gaza’s healthcare system close to collapse
Al-Shifa Hospital is critically short of fuel due to Israel's blockade. Staff at the largest medical facility in the blockaded enclave said that vital equipment, including ventilators and cold-chain medicine storage, is at risk of shutting down.
As of the end of June, northern Gaza had 140,000 litres of fuel, southern Gaza 272,000 litres, likely to run out over the next few days.
Twenty-five NGOs, including Amnesty, HRW, and MSF, condemned Israel's continued blockade and the detention of at least 185 health workers since February. They also reported around 700 strikes on medical sites and the deaths of over 1,500 health and 460 aid personnel since October.
World Food Programme regional head Samer Abdel Jaber warned that without expanded access and safe operations, "the opportunity to push back starvation is closing fast".
60-day ceasefire under threat
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced that Israel has tentatively agreed to a 60-day ceasefire and hostage exchange. Israeli envoy Ron Dermer told US negotiator Steve Witkoff that Israel supports the Qatari plan and is prepared for indirect talks with Hamas.
According to Axios, most of the deal’s terms have been agreed, with remaining issues centring on humanitarian access, war termination, and governance mechanisms, specifically requiring Hamas disarmament and regional supervision by Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
However, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir were reportedly planning to rebel in an attempt to thwart the truce. Otzma Yehudit’s Ben-Gvir has called on Religious Zionism’s Smotrich to block any agreement involving a ceasefire. Smotrich reportedly denied receiving such an appeal.
It comes as negotiations between Israel and Hamas stalled over whether the war should end as part of any deal. Hamas official Mahmoud Merdawi accused Mr Netanyahu of blocking the progress, saying the Israeli leader insists on a temporary agreement that would free just 10 of the hostages.
The Palestinian group has previously said it is willing to free all the hostages in exchange for a full withdrawal of Israeli troops and an end to the war in Gaza.