CAIRO – Israeli airstrikes resulted in at least 34 casualties in Gaza City overnight, including children, as reported by health officials on Sunday. This is part of Israel’s ongoing campaign in the besieged city, while several nations are set to acknowledge a Palestinian state.

According to officials at Shifa Hospital, where the majority of the bodies were received, the fatalities comprised 14 individuals killed in a late-night strike on Saturday that targeted a residential area in the city’s south. Among the deceased were a nurse from the hospital, his spouse, and three children.

This recent Israeli operation, initiated earlier this week, intensifies a conflict that has destabilized the Middle East and likely diminishes prospects for a ceasefire. The Israeli military aims to “destroy Hamas’ military infrastructure” and has advised Palestinians to evacuate, though it has not outlined a timeline for the offensive, which might extend over several months.

Several countries to recognize a Palestinian State

Saturday night’s attacks coincide with plans by some major Western nations to recognize Palestinian statehood during the United Nations General Assembly gathering on Monday. This group includes the U.K., France, Canada, Australia, Malta, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Portugal’s Foreign Affairs Ministry announced it would recognize a Palestinian state on Sunday.

In anticipation of the U.N. assembly, Israeli peace activists have welcomed the anticipated recognition of a Palestinian state. On Sunday, the It’s Time Coalition, comprising over 60 Jewish and Arab peace and reconciliation organizations, advocated for an end to the conflict, the release of hostages, and the acknowledgment of a Palestinian state.

“We refuse to live forever by the sword. The UN decision presents a historic chance to transition from a death trap to a life of security and freedom for both peoples,” declared the coalition in a video statement.

Yet a ceasefire remains elusive. Israeli bombardment over the past 23 months has killed more than 65,000 people in Gaza, destroyed vast areas of the strip, displaced around 90% of the population and caused a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with experts saying Gaza City is experiencing famine.

Israel claims killing a Hamas sniper

Israel didn’t respond to the strikes overnight Saturday. In a statement Sunday, the military said it killed Majed Abu Selmiya, who it said was a sniper for Hamas’ military wing and was preparing to carry out more attacks in the Gaza City area, without providing evidence.

The alleged militant is the brother of the director of Shifa hospital, Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, who called the allegations a lie and said Israel was trying to justify the killing of civilians. Dr. Selmiya told The Associated Press that his brother, 57, suffered from hypertension, diabetes and had vision problems.

As the attacks continue, Israel has ordered hundreds of thousands of Palestinians sheltering in Gaza City to move south to what it calls a humanitarian zone and opened another corridor south of the city for two days this week to allow more people to evacuate.

Palestinians were streaming out of Gaza City by car and on foot, though many are unwilling to be uprooted again, too weak to leave or unable to afford the cost of moving.

Along the coastal Wadi Gaza route, those too exhausted to continue stopped to catch their breath and give their children a much-needed break from the difficult journey.

Aid groups have warned that forcing thousands of people to evacuate will exacerbate the dire humanitarian crisis. They are appealing for a ceasefire so aid can reach those who need it.

Families of hostages still held by Hamas are also calling for a ceasefire, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of condemning their loved ones to death by continuing to fight rather than negotiating an end to the war.

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