Gaza, LOGIC.co.id – At least 60 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip on Thursday (May 14, 2025), according to Palestinian medical officials. Most of the victims, including women and children, died in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, after the strike hit homes and refugee tents.
One of the casualties was Hassan Samour, a local journalist working for Hamas-affiliated Aqsa Radio. He was killed alongside 11 members of his family when their house was destroyed in the attack.
As of this report, the Israeli military has not issued an official statement. The latest assault is part of Israel's escalating military campaign in Gaza aimed at destroying Hamas, in response to the deadly attacks launched by the group on Israeli territory in October 2023.
Trump Visits Middle East, Peace Mediation Stalls
The airstrike coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East and ongoing diplomatic efforts by Arab and American mediators to broker a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
However, Hamas accused Israel of using military force to gain leverage in negotiations.
“Israel is negotiating behind the backs of innocent civilians through military aggression,” said a statement from Hamas.
Indirect negotiations are ongoing in Doha, Qatar, involving Trump’s envoy and mediators from Egypt and Qatar.
Gaza Residents: ‘This Is Worse Than the 1948 Nakba’
Thursday’s strike came on the anniversary of the Nakba — the 1948 catastrophe when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced following the creation of the state of Israel.
For many Gaza residents now living in internal displacement and under dire conditions, today’s crisis is described as even more devastating.
“What we are experiencing now is worse than the Nakba of 1948,” said Ahmed Hamad, a Gaza City resident who has been displaced multiple times.
“We live in constant violence and displacement. Wherever we go, there are strikes. Death surrounds us.”
Ceasefire Talks Stalled, Hamas Offers Hostage Release
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that an earlier Israeli strike on Wednesday killed at least 80 people.
Since the start of Israel’s invasion of Gaza, more than 52,900 Palestinians have been killed, according to local data.
Meanwhile, Hamas has offered to release all hostages held in Gaza if Israel agrees to a total ceasefire.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a full ceasefire, insisting that the war will only end with the total defeat of Hamas. He has only considered a temporary truce.
“While mediators try to bring negotiations back on track, Israel responds with military pressure on civilians,” Hamas said in a separate statement.
Israel launched its invasion after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks that killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 Israeli and foreign hostages being taken.
Gaza on the Brink of Famine as Aid Remains Blocked
Ongoing strikes and a prolonged blockade have left Gaza on the brink of famine, according to global humanitarian agencies.
No humanitarian aid has entered Gaza since March 2, 2025, and a global hunger monitoring agency reported that half a million people now face acute starvation.
A U.S.-backed humanitarian organization is scheduled to begin operations in Gaza later this May, but is urging Israel to immediately allow the UN and other groups to resume aid deliveries before the new distribution plan is implemented.