Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill 58, Targeting Schools and a Beach Café
At least 58 people were killed in Gaza on Monday as Israel escalated its military operations against Hamas, striking multiple targets including four schools and a beachfront café.
The attacks coincided with increasing domestic and international calls for an end to the ongoing conflict. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid added his voice to the growing movement urging a ceasefire. A day earlier, former U.S. President Donald Trump also called for an end to the 20-month war and the return of remaining hostages.
Meanwhile, an aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Washington for discussions at the White House, expected to focus on a possible Gaza ceasefire, Iran, and regional diplomacy.
Mass Evacuations and Renewed Fighting in Gaza
On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued evacuation orders for large sections of northern Gaza, prompting another wave of displacement. Israeli tanks entered the eastern areas of Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood, and several northern regions were shelled.
Local residents reported that Israeli aircraft bombed at least four schools after issuing warnings for families to evacuate. Salah, a 60-year-old father of five, described the situation as relentless: “They bombed schools and homes. It felt like earthquakes.”
Despite reports of a potential ceasefire, Salah said, “On the news we hear a ceasefire is near, on the ground we see death and we hear explosions.”
Toll of War: Tens of Thousands Killed, Millions Displaced
This latest offensive comes amid the broader 20-month war, which began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing over 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military campaign that has since killed over 56,000 Palestinians—most of them civilians—according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Nearly 2.3 million people in Gaza have been displaced, and the region remains in the grip of a dire humanitarian crisis.
Civilians Among the Dead in Monday’s Attacks
The Gaza health ministry reported that 10 people were killed in Zeitoun and another 13 south-west of Gaza City. Medics said many of the latter were shot, though residents also noted airstrikes in the area.
An Israeli air raid on a beachside café in Gaza City killed 20 people, including women, children, and a journalist. The Palestinian Journalist Syndicate stated that over 220 journalists have died in Gaza since the war began.
The IDF said it was targeting Hamas command centers and had taken precautions to avoid civilian harm. However, there was no official comment on the civilian casualties reported in the southwest or the beachfront café attack.
On Sunday, 27 additional people were killed during another heavy round of bombardment.
Israeli Military Admits Civilian Harm at Aid Sites
On Monday, the IDF acknowledged that Palestinian civilians had been harmed at aid distribution centers in Gaza. Since Israel lifted its 11-week blockade on May 19 and allowed limited UN aid deliveries, more than 400 Palestinians have reportedly died while trying to access humanitarian aid.
The military said it was reviewing these incidents and implementing new protocols to ensure safer civilian access to aid and reduce conflict.
A post on X (formerly Twitter) from the IDF noted that measures were being taken to improve civilian movement and maintain operational goals while keeping aid out of Hamas’s control.
The probe into aid-related deaths follows criticism from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who labeled the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s aid operations as “inherently unsafe” and deadly.
Netanyahu Ally Meets with U.S. Officials
Ron Dermer, Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister and a close adviser to Prime Minister Netanyahu, was in Washington on Monday for high-level talks on Iran and Gaza. The visit came a day after President Trump publicly urged both Israel and Hamas to agree to a deal that would return hostages and end the war.
Within Israel, pressure is growing on the government to reconsider its approach. The Israeli security cabinet met to evaluate the situation, with military leaders suggesting that current operations are close to fulfilling their objectives.
On Sunday, Netanyahu said there were new developments that could aid in securing the release of hostages—20 of whom are believed to be alive. Mediators from Qatar and Egypt are reportedly intensifying their efforts to broker a ceasefire, although no date has been set for renewed negotiations.
Israeli Opposition Leader Urges Ceasefire
On Monday, Yair Lapid, leader of Israel’s opposition, publicly called for the war to end, becoming one of several prominent voices advocating for a resolution.
“There is no longer any benefit for the State of Israel from continuing the war in Gaza. Only damage—security, political, and economic,” Lapid told members of his party.
He argued that Israel must work with neighboring countries like Egypt to reduce Hamas’s influence in Gaza and establish an alternative government.
“Hamas will not be eliminated as long as an alternative government is not brought into Gaza,” he said.
A recent public poll conducted by Kan, Israel’s national broadcaster, revealed that nearly two-thirds of Israelis now support ending the war, particularly following the temporary ceasefire with Iran.
