Dozens killed in Gaza as Israel weighs ceasefire plan – DW – 07/06/2025
Officials in the Gaza Strip say dozens have been killed in attacks on Saturday, as Israel prepares to respond to a ceasefire plan that Hamas has agreed to in principle.
The Palestinian news agency WAFA said at least 50 people had been killed in airstrikes and other incidents, with many casualties reported among those desperately queuing for food.Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was sending a delegation to Qatar Sunday for ceasefire talks, but rejected Hamas' proposals for changes to a draft ceasefire deal.
"The changes that Hamas is seeking to make in the Qatari proposal were conveyed to us last night and are unacceptable to Israel," said Netanyahu's office in a statement.
But a negotiation team will still fly to Qatar to "continue the efforts to secure the return of our hostages based on the Qatari proposal that Israel agreed to."
Hamas has not publicly detailed its responses to the US-sponsored proposal, which was transmitted by mediators from Qatar and Egypt, but said on Friday it responded in a "positive spirit."
US President Donald Trump has renewed efforts to bring an end to nearly 21 months of war in Gaza. He will host Netanyahu in Washington on Monday.
DW Director General Peter Limbourg on Saturday condemned an attack on two DW reporters in the Palestinian-administered part of the occupied West Bank.
"DW condemns this attack on our colleagues who had traveled to Sinjil to cover a planned protest against settler violence," said Limbourg in a statement.
A correspondent and a cameraman were pelted with large stones and chased by Israeli settlers on Friday.
"We are relieved that they were not physically injured in the attack and were able to get to safety. There is no justification for this attack," said Limbourg
"We strongly demand that the Israeli government guarantee the safety of all journalists in the West Bank. Freedom of the press — and therefore the safety of journalists — is an indispensable pillar of any democracy," he added.
Germany's ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, also expressed his concern in a post on X.
"The freedom of press and the safety of journalists must be guaranteed," he wrote.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attended a mourning ceremony on Saturday, according to a video carried by state media.
This is the first time Khamenei has been seen in public since the 12-day war with Israel, which started on June 13.
His absence suggested a heavy security status for Iran's current leader, who has the final say on all matters.
Police have arrested protesters in London for supporting Palestine Action, which was banned under UK anti-terror laws on Friday.
Officers moved in at Parliament Square, saying the group is now proscribed and showing support is a criminal offence. Campaign group Defend Our Juries said 27 people, including a priest and several health workers, were arrested under the Terrorism Act while holding signs reading "I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action."
The ban makes chanting, wearing clothing or displaying items linked to the group an offence, with penalties of up to 14 years in prison.
The government pushed through the proscription after Palestine Action activists broke into an air force base in southern England, spraying two aircraft with red paint and causing damage worth about 7 million pounds ($9.55 million, €8.11 million).
Four activists have been remanded in custody over the incident. Palestine Action says the ban is an attack on free speech. A court challenge to block the proscription failed on Friday.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) says two American aid workers have been injured in a grenade attack at a food distribution site in Gaza.
The US- and Israeli-backed group said both workers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are now stable and receiving treatment.
According to GHF, two attackers threw grenades at the Americans as a food handout for thousands of Gazans was wrapping up. The group, which started aid operations in Gaza in May, uses private US military contractors for security at its sites.
It remains unclear who carried out the attack. The Israeli military later accused "terrorist organizations" of trying to sabotage aid distribution in Gaza.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 videoThe GHF began handing out food packages in Gaza at the end of May. The United Nations and various international aid organizations have criticized the foundation, saying its delivery model is neither impartial nor neutral.
Israel is considering how to respond to Hamas's positive reaction to the latest US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal.
Israeli media reported on Saturday that the Israeli government had received the Palestinian group's response on the Gaza ceasefire proposal with details currently being examined.
The Security Cabinet is set to meet later on Saturday after the end of the Jewish sabbath at sundown, according to Israeli media reports.
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Sources in the Gaza Strip say that dozens of people have been killed since early on Saturday morning as Israel prosecutes its offensive in the territory.
The Palestinian news agency WAFA said at least 50 people had been killed in airstrikes and other incidents, with many casualties reported among those desperately queuing for food.
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Figures varied, with the AP news agency placing the number killed at 24 — 14 in airstrikes and 10 while seeking food
aid.
The AFP news agency put the total number killed at 32, including 8 who had been killed by Israeli fire near an aid distribution hub in southern Gaza.
Gazan authorities reported at least 70 people have been killed in the territory by the Israeli military in the last 24 hours. These were said to include 23 people near aid distribution sites.
Israel's offensive in Gaza since the October 7 terror attacks has killed more than X Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's Health Ministry.
The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but the UN and multiple humanitarian organizations consider the casualty numbers broadly reliable.
Welcome to our latest updates from Gaza, Israel and the wider Middle East.
As Israel is studying a US-led plan for a ceasefire, the civilian death toll in Gaza was climbing again on Saturday. A proportion of the casualties were among those seeking food in the enclave.
Meawhile, two US workers were injured in an attack on the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in what the group said was a targeted attack.
We'll be providing updates on these stories and others from the region right here.
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