Israeli strikes hit refugee camps: Over 80 killed in Gaza; 20 women and children among dead

Israeli strikes across Gaza on Wednesday left more than 80 Palestinians dead, in one of the heaviest tolls reported in recent weeks, as per BBC. Hospitals in Gaza City said most of the victims were in neighbourhoods packed with displaced families, where tents and makeshift shelters offered little protection from the bombardment. First responders described scenes of devastation near the busy Firas market in the Daraj district, where at least 20 women and children were among those killed overnight.

Dozens more died in central Gaza, including at least 12 people in the Nuseirat refugee camp and a family of four whose home was struck in nearby Deir al-Balah. Medics said bodies also arrived at hospitals in southern Gaza after Israeli gunfire targeted people queuing for aid.

The Israeli military said its operations were aimed at Hamas fighters , insisting that precision munitions were used and accusing the group of embedding itself among civilians. Gaza health officials and the UN human rights office, however, said hundreds have been killed in recent months while seeking food and supplies.

The violence coincided with a rare attack inside Israel, where a Houthi drone struck the southern city of Eilat, wounding 22 people. The Iran-backed rebels claimed responsibility, saying it was in support of Palestinians. Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed that “anyone who harms Israel will be harmed sevenfold.”

As the fighting raged, US officials promoted what they called a “Trump 21-point plan for peace” at the UN General Assembly. Lead negotiator Steve Witkoff said the proposal had been shared with Arab leaders, adding, “We’re hopeful, and I might say even confident, that in the coming days, we’ll be able to announce some sort of breakthrough.” Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi welcomed the outline as a potential foundation for talks.

The war erupted after Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and seizing 251 hostages. Israel’s military response has since killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which says women and children account for about half of the dead.