At least 57 people were killed overnight in the Gaza Strip following intense Israeli airstrikes, according to the Palestinian Civil Defence, which operates under the Hamas-run administration.
The strikes began in the early hours of Saturday, October 5, targeting multiple residential areas across the enclave. Among the victims, 40 were reported in Gaza City, said Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defence.
The escalation came despite direct calls from U.S. President Donald Trump urging Israel to halt all bombardments immediately and return to negotiations aimed at restoring a lasting ceasefire.
In a statement from Washington, Trump reportedly emphasised that continued attacks on densely populated urban centres would only deepen the humanitarian catastrophe and complicate diplomatic efforts for a peace deal that includes hostage releases and aid corridors.
Meanwhile, access to Gaza remains severely restricted for international media, making independent verification of casualty figures impossible, according to AFP correspondents.
The renewed wave of bombings coincides with talks in Cairo, where delegations from Hamas and Israel are expected to discuss Trump’s proposed withdrawal plan, under which Israel would agree to suspend further strikes in exchange for staged disarmament guarantees.
Observers note that Trump’s direct involvement — including reported pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — signals a shift toward a U.S.-brokered truce framework that prioritises immediate humanitarian relief.
As Gaza faces mounting devastation, humanitarian agencies warn that hospitals, already crippled by fuel shortages, are nearing total collapse, with thousands displaced and trapped under rubble in areas inaccessible to rescue teams.
