Gaza Strip, November 20, 2025 – Hopes for a fragile ceasefire in Gaza evaporated Thursday as fresh Israeli airstrikes killed at least 28 Palestinians, including 17 children, in a series of attacks across Gaza City and Khan Yunis. The renewed violence sharply escalates the ongoing humanitarian crisis, raising urgent questions about the durability of regional peace efforts and accountability for civilian casualties.
Dozens Dead in Residential Strikes, Ceasefire in Doubt
Local medical officials and eyewitnesses report that Israeli strikes targeted bustling residential neighborhoods and overcrowded displacement camps, leaving dozens dead and many more injured. The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed that children comprised the majority of the new fatalities, further straining resources in already overwhelmed hospitals and emergency shelters.
Despite official statements that a ceasefire, brokered by international mediators, was still in effect, fierce fighting and shelling persisted throughout the day. Footage from the aftermath depicted chaotic scenes of rescue workers pulling children from the rubble and families desperately searching for missing loved ones.
United Nations Calls for Investigation, Warns of Escalation
The United Nations swiftly condemned the renewed airstrikes, calling for immediate investigations into potential breaches of international humanitarian law. UN officials warned that the volatile security environment threatens to derail any diplomatic momentum toward a longer-term settlement and increases the risk of a broader regional conflict.
“Targeting of residential zones and displacement camps is unequivocally unacceptable,” stated a UN spokesperson, urging all parties to prioritize civilian protection and uphold the laws of war.
Conflicting Narratives: Israel and Hamas Trade Blame
Israeli officials maintain that the airstrikes were aimed at neutralizing Hamas military infrastructure concealed within civilian areas. However, Hamas leaders denounced the attacks as deliberate provocations, accusing Israel of undermining the tenuous truce and vowing to respond if hostilities continue.
Humanitarian Emergency Deepens Amid Displacement
With over 2 million people now displaced across the Gaza Strip, humanitarian agencies warn that food, medical supplies, and clean water are running dangerously low. Aid organizations stress that unless fighting subsides, the already dire situation in Gaza could deteriorate further, leading to mass suffering and regional instability.
International Community Presses for Ceasefire Restoration
Global leaders, including officials from the United States and European Union, are intensifying diplomatic efforts to restore a ceasefire and facilitate urgent humanitarian aid. Observers caution that the international community’s ability to broker a lasting peace hinges on immediate accountability, cessation of attacks, and unimpeded access for relief operations.
