Israeli Airstrikes Kill 14 in Gaza as Mediators Push for Ceasefire

Gaza, January 5, 2025 – At least 14 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Sunday, raising the weekend death toll in Gaza to 102, according to Palestinian medics. The attacks targeted several locations, including a house in the Nuseirat camp, where five people died, and another strike in Jabalia, killing four others. Later, a police station in Khan Younis was hit, resulting in five deaths, though it was unclear if all were police officers.

Health officials reported that over 200 people had been wounded in the past 24 hours as Israeli airstrikes continued across the region. In Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, rescue teams recovered bodies from the rubble of an airstrike that killed seven members of the Zuhd family. The search for additional victims continued into Sunday.

The Israeli military claimed responsibility for the strikes, stating that they had targeted Hamas militants and rocket launch sites used to attack Israel.

Meanwhile, international efforts to broker a ceasefire continue, with U.S. and Arab mediators working towards an agreement. Both U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration and Qatari and Egyptian officials have been involved in the negotiations. The focus is on securing a ceasefire before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.

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The Israeli military’s offensive on Gaza began in response to the October 7 Hamas attack, which killed about 1,200 Israelis and led to the capture of over 200 hostages. The conflict has left over 45,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s health ministry.