Deir al-Balah (Gaza Strip), Jul 22 (AP): At least 20 people were reported dead from Israeli strikes in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials on Tuesday, as Israel escalates its ground invasion into regions that had previously escaped intense combat during the 21-month conflict.
The expansion of military operations comes amidst ongoing ceasefire discussions between Israel and Hamas aimed at halting the fighting and securing the release of hostages.
While the current negotiations have persisted for weeks without any tangible progress, a sense of optimism prevails. A significant sticking point in these talks is the anticipated withdrawal of Israeli troops as they expand their territorial control in Gaza.
The Trump administration has been applying pressure on Israel to conclude the conflict and has exhibited signs of impatience. Recently, President Donald Trump's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, mentioned that Trump was "caught off guard" by an Israeli strike on a Catholic church in Gaza.
Prominent Christian clergy, who visited the church last week, have appealed for an end to the war during a press conference held Tuesday in Jerusalem.
At least 20 killed in Israeli strikes, health officials say: One strike targeted tents housing displaced individuals in Shati refugee camp on Gaza City's western side, resulting in at least 12 deaths, according to Shifa Hospital, the facility that received the casualties. However, the Israeli military denied awareness of such a strike.
The fatalities included three women and three children, as reported by Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiyah, the hospital's director. Additionally, 38 other Palestinians sustained injuries.
Footage provided by the Health Ministry’s ambulance and emergency service depicted the destruction of tents, with some deceased lying on the ground.
An overnight attack on crowds awaiting aid trucks in Gaza City led to eight fatalities and wounded at least 118 others, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Ahmed Mhana, present on a coastal road for aid, claimed that the crowd was targeted twice by Israeli aircraft.
The Israeli military has yet to comment on the incident in Gaza City, attributing civilian casualties to Hamas's operations in densely populated areas and accusing the group of impeding resolution by rejecting Israel's ceasefire terms, which include disarmament and relinquishing power.
Heavy explosions heard in area that avoided major fighting: In Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, known to have previously evaded significant military operations, residents reported intense overnight explosions from strikes and tank shelling.
“It was non-stop,” commented Ayman Aby Hassan, highlighting the tremors felt in the vicinity, likening it to an earthquake. The man, in his 40s, had fled the southwestern area of Deir al-Balah that experienced a recent military incursion, seeking refuge near the sea in the Muwasi area.
Israel had earlier issued evacuation orders for portions of the city.
In the attack on October 7, 2023, carried out by Hamas-led militants, 251 individuals were abducted resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths. Less than half of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are presumed alive.
More than 59,000 Palestinians have died during the conflict, as per the reports from Gaza's Health Ministry, which doesn't separate combatants from civilians but states that over half of the casualties were women and children. While the ministry operates under Hamas, its data is viewed as credible by the UN and other global bodies.
Church leaders witnessed a 'totally destroyed' Gaza: In Jerusalem, leading church figures have urged the international community to initiate measures to end the Gaza conflict following an unusual visit to the battered region last week.
This visit coincided with an Israeli shell’s tragic strike on Gaza's sole Catholic church, resulting in three deaths and injuring 10 individuals, including a priest closely associated with the late Pope Francis.
The attack sparked widespread condemnation from Pope Leo XIV and President Trump, compelling Israel to express regret, identifying it as an accident.
Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa vocalized the need to terminate the conflict, describing it as "nonsense."
Access to Gaza has been significantly restricted by Israel since the conflict's onset, allowing limited entries mostly during major religious celebrations.
Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III depicted a Gaza that is "almost totally destroyed," observing the dire conditions: "Every hour without food, water, medicine, and shelter causes deep harm," Pizzaballa declared, emphasizing the moral unacceptability of the situation.
The entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza has been drastically reduced by Israel, and the distribution of incoming aid often culminates in chaos and violence.
According to the UN, over 1,000 individuals have perished attempting to secure aid in Gaza since Israel modified the distribution protocol for Palestinians. The international organization accused Israel of these fatalities, citing that over 750 deaths occurred "in the vicinity" of distribution points operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an entity supported by Israel and the US. However, the GHF mostly disputes the occurrence of violence at its sites.
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