At least 24 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Saturday, May 17, 2025, as international mediators intensified efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The latest escalation in violence comes amid growing global concern over the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the enclave, where thousands have already died and infrastructure lies in ruins.
The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas militants and command centers in the Jabalia refugee camp and Khan Younis in southern Gaza. However, local health officials reported that many of the victims were civilians, including women and children, who were either sheltering in residential buildings or trying to flee conflict zones.
Footage shared by journalists and aid workers showed charred buildings, bloodied bodies, and emergency crews pulling survivors from the rubble. The Gaza Health Ministry stated that dozens more were injured, many critically, and warned that overwhelmed hospitals are struggling to cope due to a lack of medicine, electricity, and medical supplies.
As the bombs fell, ceasefire talks resumed in Doha, with Egypt, Qatar, and the United States acting as mediators. Israeli officials, while maintaining pressure on Hamas, said they were open to a temporary pause in fighting if certain conditions are met, including the release of hostages, demilitarization of key areas, and exile of top Hamas leaders.
A senior Hamas representative said the group is willing to consider a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for guarantees of humanitarian access, withdrawal of Israeli troops from key regions, and a phased hostage release. However, fundamental disagreements persist, and negotiators warned that no breakthrough is imminent.
Saturday’s airstrikes have fueled international outrage, with human rights organizations and several governments accusing Israel of using disproportionate force. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement condemning the attack and calling for an immediate halt to hostilities. “Civilians must never be targets,” he said. “All parties must act to protect lives and pursue peace.”
Since the conflict reignited in October 2023, more than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to local authorities, and nearly 1.9 million people — over 80% of Gaza’s population — have been displaced. The UN has warned of an impending famine and classified the situation as “beyond catastrophic.”
Israel continues to maintain that its campaign is aimed solely at neutralizing Hamas’s military capabilities. In a statement released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), officials claimed that the strikes were based on “accurate intelligence” and had eliminated “high-value targets involved in recent rocket attacks on Israeli cities.”
Meanwhile, the political landscape in Israel remains tense. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing both internal and external pressure to either escalate further or seek a diplomatic exit. Protests have erupted in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with citizens demanding accountability and a long-term strategy for peace.
In Washington, the Biden-Trump transition debate over U.S. policy on Israel continues to play out. President Trump, who has been vocal about ending the conflict “through strength,” is reportedly preparing direct talks with leaders in both Tel Aviv and Doha. Critics, however, argue that any peace without justice or reconstruction guarantees will only lead to renewed violence.
On the ground in Gaza, the situation grows more desperate by the hour. Aid agencies are calling for the opening of new humanitarian corridors and immediate airlifts of food and medical aid. Many civilians are living in makeshift tents, without access to clean water, power, or sanitation.
As the Doha talks continue behind closed doors and bombs continue to fall, the prospect of a lasting ceasefire remains elusive. For Gaza’s residents, Saturday’s airstrikes are yet another grim chapter in a war that has brought devastation without end — and for the world, a stark reminder of the urgent need for decisive international action.
Source; Reuters
