Death toll climbs in Gaza City, a day after Israel halts regular truces for humanitarian aid
In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, tensions escalated this weekend with the death of a key Hamas figure, Abu Obaida, and a series of Israeli attacks that left at least 17 people dead.
Abu Obaida, the spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, was allegedly killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City on August 30, 2025. The strike targeted the prominent figure who frequently appeared in videos disseminated by Hamas, making him one of the group's best-known representatives in the Arab world. However, it was not immediately clear whether Israel had succeeded in killing Abu Obaida.
The attacks in Gaza City also claimed the lives of at least 12 more individuals in a separate strike near a bakery, and an additional 5 people in the Rimal neighborhood. These incidents have sparked mounting international outrage amid severe hunger faced by Gaza's 2 million people.
Israeli officials have been urging the residents of Gaza City to evacuate for safety reasons, with several hundred thousand Palestinians still residing in the area. Aid officials warn that a large-scale evacuation could potentially reverse any progress made in preventing malnutrition, as it could disrupt the delivery of essential supplies and services.
In a bid to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, Israel announced a pause in its attacks in several parts of Gaza, including Gaza City, to allow humanitarian aid to enter at the end of July. However, the Israeli military resumed operations in Gaza City on Friday, an apparent effort to pressure Palestinians to evacuate the area.
Despite the recent decrease in food prices in Gaza over the past few weeks, severe food shortages still persist. Aid officials report that while the situation has improved slightly, the overall situation remains dire, with many families struggling to afford basic necessities.
As the conflict continues, the international community is calling for a ceasefire and a return to negotiations to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
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