Gaza City Reels from Over 100 Deaths in 24 Hours; Hospitals Besieged Amidst Fragile Ceasefire Violations
GAZA CITY, Occupied Palestinian Territory – Intensified Israeli bombardment across Gaza City over the past day has resulted in the deaths of at least 104 Palestinians, including numerous children, in what appears to be the deadliest period since a fragile ceasefire took hold. The escalating violence, which has seen entire city blocks devastated, has pushed the humanitarian crisis to critical new lows and forced international aid organizations to suspend vital operations. Reports from October 29, 2025, indicate that the airstrikes, ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, targeted sites described by the Israeli military as “positions of ongoing threat” and retaliation for alleged Hamas violations of the truce.
Healthcare System on Brink of Collapse
The relentless offensive has had a catastrophic impact on Gaza’s already crippled healthcare system. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced the suspension of its medical activities within Gaza City due to the rapidly deteriorating security situation. Citing continued airstrikes and the approach of Israeli tanks to within less than a kilometer of their facilities, MSF stated that their clinics had been encircled by Israeli forces, creating an “unacceptable level of risk” for staff and leaving vulnerable patients with nowhere to go.
“We have been left with no choice but to stop our activities as our clinics are encircled by Israeli forces,” said Jacob Granger, MSF emergency coordinator in Gaza. “This is the last thing we wanted, as the needs in Gaza City are enormous, with the most vulnerable people – infants in neo-natal care, those with severe injuries and life-threatening illnesses – unable to move and in grave danger”.
Compounding the crisis, Al-Helou Hospital in Gaza City was struck by two missiles, disrupting medical services and trapping over 90 individuals, including medical staff, patients, and 12 premature babies in a neonatal unit, as Israeli tanks surrounded the facility. Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in Gaza, also reported receiving casualties from strikes in Beit Lahia. The World Health Organization has previously warned that the destruction of Al-Shifa Hospital had “ripped the heart out of the health system”.
Civilian Toll and Mass Displacement
Palestinian health officials reported that the overnight strikes on October 28-29 killed at least 104 Palestinians and injured 253 others, with figures including approximately 46 children. WAFA reported a toll of 100 killed between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, including around 35 children. These figures represent the deadliest 24-hour period since the ceasefire began on October 10.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain trapped in Gaza City, facing dire conditions or being forced to make impossible choices about displacement. Many who attempt to flee move to areas where humanitarian conditions are rapidly collapsing. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) continues to highlight the massive scale of displacement and the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and unimpeded access, with tens of thousands still sheltering in damaged buildings and makeshift sites.
Ceasefire Under Severe Strain
The recent escalation marks the most serious challenge to the tenuous U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Israel stated it had resumed “renewed enforcement of the ceasefire” following alleged Hamas violations, including an attack on an Israeli soldier and issues related to the handover of hostage remains. Hamas has denied responsibility for violations and accused Israel of “a blatant violation of the ceasefire deal”.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has underscored Israel’s obligation to ensure the basic needs of civilians in Gaza are met and to facilitate humanitarian aid, confirming the “indispensable role” of UNRWA. Despite these calls, access for relief efforts remains restricted, and the ongoing hostilities continue to threaten the delivery of life-saving assistance.
This recent outbreak of violence underscores the precarious humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the health system is near collapse and civilian casualties continue to mount amid recurrent breaches of truces. The lack of unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations and the continuous cycle of violence pose grave threats to the civilian population, highlighting the urgent need for sustained peace efforts and adherence to international humanitarian law. This global news continues to draw international attention to the deepening crisis.
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