At least 45 killed in a day of Israeli airstrikes, says Gaza civil defence
Gaza’s civil defence agency and hospitals said a series of Israeli airstrikes across the territory killed at least 45 people on Sunday, updating an earlier toll of 33, according to AFP.
“Forty-five people were killed in Israeli airstrikes at several locations in the Gaza Strip,” said Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense, which operates under Hamas authorities.
Four hospitals confirmed the updated toll to AFP. Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat reported 24 deaths, Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah 12, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis five, and Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City four. Dozens more were wounded.
The Israeli army told AFP it was verifying reports of the strikes.
Among the victims, Bassal said, were six civilians killed in an airstrike on the town of Zuwaida in central Gaza, and two others — including a journalist — in western Gaza City.
Two separate attacks near Nuseirat killed six people, including children, and injured 13 more. Another drone strike north of Khan Younis killed a woman and two children sheltering in a tent.
By evening, the Israeli army announced it was halting its strikes and reinstating the ceasefire.
Due to media restrictions and limited access in Gaza, AFP said it could not independently verify the details of the incident.
Despite a ceasefire that took effect on October 11, the death toll in Gaza continues to rise, with 68,159 people killed — mostly women and children — since the Israeli offensive began in October 2023. Another 170,203 people have been injured, according to local health authorities.
