A series of Israeli airstrikes struck residential areas in Gaza City on Tuesday, killing at least 11 people and wounding dozens more. The attacks come hours after indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, broke down without agreement.
Eyewitnesses reported multiple explosions in the northern neighbourhood of Sheikh Radwan, where a four-storey building was reduced to rubble. Among the dead were three children and two women, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the strikes, stating that they targeted a command centre used by Hamas. The IDF alleged that the building housed weapons and was part of a network of tunnels.
Hamas condemned the attacks, describing them as a “serious escalation” and vowing to continue rocket fire into southern Israel. Since the collapse of talks, militants have launched over 30 rockets, triggering air raid sirens in Sderot and Ashkelon. Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted most projectiles, but one struck a factory in Sderot, causing damage but no casualties.
The talks, which had been ongoing for two months, aimed to secure a long-term ceasefire and lift the blockade on Gaza. Key sticking points included the terms of prisoner exchanges and the scope of fishing rights off Gaza’s coast. The breakdown marks a significant setback for international efforts to stabilise the region.
Egyptian and Qatari mediators have urged restraint, but the violence has drawn international concern. The United Nations called for an immediate de-escalation, while the United States reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defence. The European Union expressed alarm over the civilian casualties, urging both sides to return to negotiations.
Analysts warn that the collapse of diplomacy risks a new cycle of violence. The conflict has already claimed over 200 lives this year, mostly Palestinians. International law requires parties to distinguish between combatants and civilians, and disproportionate force is prohibited. The latest strikes will test Israel’s adherence to these standards.
As night falls over Gaza, the sound of drones persists. Hospitals, already short on supplies due to the blockade, are struggling to treat the wounded. The ceasefire, once within reach, now seems distant. The region holds its breath for what comes next.
