As the conflict in Gaza enters yet another harrowing chapter, the toll on civilians continues to mount, with more than 40 people—among them 19 women and children—killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza City and the Bureij refugee camp over the weekend, according to health officials at Shifa Hospital and Al-Awda Hospital, as reported by multiple international outlets. The strikes, which occurred late Saturday and into Sunday, left residential blocks in ruins and families shattered. Among the dead was a nurse from Shifa Hospital, along with his wife and three children, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the violence that has gripped the region for nearly two years.
In the Bureij refugee camp, another strike outside a medical clinic killed at least eight Palestinians, including four children and two women, and wounded 22 others. The Israeli military has not commented on these specific incidents. The devastation, however, is clear for all to see: bodies were brought to hospitals already overwhelmed by the unrelenting stream of casualties, and the number of displaced persons continues to rise at an alarming rate.
The crisis is not confined to Gaza alone. In southern Lebanon, the Health Ministry reported that an Israeli drone strike in the city of Bint Jbeil killed five people, including three children, and wounded two others. Since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November, Israel has continued near-daily strikes on southern Lebanon, which it says are aimed at Hezbollah militants. The Lebanese government, however, contends that these attacks violate the ceasefire and hinder efforts to disarm the group peacefully.
Meanwhile, the diplomatic landscape is shifting. On Sunday, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom formally recognized Palestinian statehood, a move that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described as intended "to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis." Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the announcement, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern rebuke. In an angry statement, Netanyahu declared, "It will not happen. A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan River." He accused the foreign leaders of giving a "prize" to Hamas, making clear that Israel's government remains firmly opposed to the international push for Palestinian sovereignty.
The timing of these recognitions is not coincidental. Other prominent Western countries are reportedly preparing to follow suit at the United Nations General Assembly, which convenes Monday. Netanyahu has said he will announce Israel’s official response after a planned trip to the United States, where he is expected to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House.
Inside Israel itself, the war’s impact is sparking growing dissent. Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets Saturday night, demanding an end to the conflict and the release of hostages still held by Hamas. The protest was one of the largest since the conflict began, reflecting a growing sense of frustration and despair among ordinary Israelis. A coalition of more than 60 Jewish and Arab organizations, representing about 1,000 activists and known as the "It's Time Coalition," released a video statement urging an end to the war and the recognition of a Palestinian state. "We refuse to live forever by the sword. The UN decision offers a historic opportunity to move from a death trap to life, from an endless messianic war to a future of security and freedom for both peoples," the coalition said.
Yet, despite these calls for peace, the violence shows little sign of abating. Over the past 23 months, Israeli bombardment has killed more than 65,000 people in Gaza, destroyed vast swathes of the territory, and displaced around 90% of its population. Gaza City, once a bustling urban center, is now described by aid workers as experiencing famine. The ongoing humanitarian crisis is catastrophic, with international agencies warning that the situation could deteriorate even further if a ceasefire is not reached soon.
In response to the escalating violence, the Israeli military has ordered hundreds of thousands of Palestinians sheltering in Gaza City to evacuate south to what it calls a "humanitarian zone." According to the Israeli military, more than 550,000 Palestinians have fled Gaza City for southern parts of the Strip since late August. Before the offensive, roughly one million Palestinians were believed to be living in the city. To facilitate the evacuation, the military says it has issued warnings via text and voice messages, dropped leaflets, and made phone calls to residents. The IDF has also expanded humanitarian infrastructure in southern Gaza, including additional field hospitals, restored water connections and desalination facilities, and continued deliveries of food, tents, medicines, and medical equipment.
Despite these efforts, many Palestinians are unwilling or unable to leave. Some are too weak, others cannot afford the cost of moving, and many simply refuse to be uprooted yet again. Along the coastal Wadi Gaza route, families are seen pausing to catch their breath and give their children a break from the grueling journey. Aid groups warn that forcing thousands to evacuate will only exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation. They are appealing for a ceasefire to allow desperately needed aid to reach those most in need.
The Israeli military maintains that its operations are aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages and surrender. On Sunday, the military announced it had killed Majed Abu Selmiya, whom it identified as a sniper for Hamas’ military wing. However, Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, director of Shifa hospital and Majed’s brother, disputed the claim, telling The Associated Press that his brother suffered from hypertension, diabetes, and vision problems, and was not involved in any military activities. "Israel is trying to justify the killing of civilians," Dr. Selmiya said.
The military also accused Hamas of blocking civilians from leaving Gaza City, claiming the group uses the population as "human shields" in violation of international law. Three IDF divisions—the 162nd, 98th, and 36th—have now entered Gaza City and begun operations in what the army calls "Hamas terror strongholds." The IDF continues to urge civilians to heed evacuation orders for their own safety.
Amid the chaos, Pope Leo XIV used his Sunday noon blessing to denounce what he called the "forced exile" of Palestinians from Gaza, asserting there is no future for the "martyred" strip based on violence and vendetta. He expressed appreciation for Catholic organizations aiding Palestinians and renewed his appeal for peace.
On the diplomatic front, Israel is engaged in talks with Syria for a possible security deal. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated at a cabinet meeting that Israel’s victories in Lebanon have "opened a window for the possibility of peace with our neighbors to the north." Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa confirmed ongoing negotiations, expressing hope that Israeli troops will eventually withdraw to positions held before the fall of Bashar Assad’s government, in line with the 1974 disengagement agreement.
As the world watches, the intertwined crises of violence, displacement, and diplomatic maneuvering in Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond present a picture of extraordinary complexity and heartbreak. The coming days, especially as the United Nations General Assembly convenes, could prove pivotal for the future of the region—and for the countless civilians caught in the crossfire.