Israeli strikes kill 94 in Gaza as work continues toward elusive ceasefire
Families wept over the bodies from a strike that hit a tent camp during the night as displaced people slept in southern Gaza. At least 13 members of a single family were killed, including at least six children under 12.
'My children, my children … my beloved,' wailed Intisar Abu Assi, sobbing over the bodies of her son and daughters and their young children. Another woman kissed the forehead of a dead little girl wrapped in a blanket on the floor of the morgue at Nasser Hospital in the city of Khan Younis.
In central Gaza, a boy stroked the face of his dead sister, 6-year-old Heba Abu Etiwi, in a morgue at Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Hospital. The girl and another of her brothers were among eight people killed when a strike Wednesday evening hit near a stand selling falafel.
Story continues below advertisement
A separate strike on a school in Gaza City sheltering displaced people also killed 15 people.
The toll from strikes emerged as more Palestinians were killed in near-daily shootings while trying to obtain aid.
1:59
Hamas reviewing 60-day Gaza ceasefire proposal
Five were killed on the roads leading to food-distribution sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the newly created, secretive American organization backed by Israel to feed the Gaza Strip's population. Another 40 were killed while waiting for trucks carrying U.N. aid in several locations around Gaza, according to hospital officials.
Witnesses have said Israeli troops regularly unleash barrages on crowds of Palestinians trying to reach the GHF sites. Witnesses have also reported troops opening fire when crowds of people mass near military-run zones of Gaza, waiting for U.N. trucks to enter.
More than 500 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds more wounded since the food-distribution sites opened in May.
Story continues below advertisement
The Israeli military, whose forces are deployed on the roads leading to the sites, says it fires warning shots to control crowds or at Palestinians who approach its troops. Armed U.S. contractors guard the sites.
Amnesty says Israel using starvation as a weapon
Amnesty International on Thursday issued a report saying Israel was continuing to 'use starvation of civilians as a weapon of war … as part of its ongoing genocide.'
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
It said the GHF distribution system appeared intended only to 'placate international concerns' even as Israel allows in only a small amount of food for the U.N. to distribute separately.
'By maintaining a deadly, dehumanizing and ineffective militarized 'aid' scheme, Israeli authorities have turned aid-seeking into a booby trap for desperate starved Palestinians,' it said.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry denounced the Amnesty report, saying the organization has 'joined forces with Hamas and fully adopted all of its propaganda lies.'
Story continues below advertisement
Israel has rejected allegations it is committing genocide in Gaza in the war with Hamas, and it is challenging the accusation filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice.
2:19
Gaza war: 160+ charities call for shutdown of U.S. and Israeli-backed aid group
Amnesty accused Israel last year of committing genocide, saying it has sought to deliberately destroy Palestinians by mounting deadly attacks, demolishing vital infrastructure and preventing the delivery of food, medicine and other aid.
Israel intends for GHF to replace the U.N. humanitarian network, which has delivered massive amounts of aid to Palestinians throughout the war. Israel contends that Hamas siphons off large amounts of aid from that system, a claim that the U.N. and aid groups deny. They have rejected GHF, saying it cannot deliver enough aid, endangers Palestinians and is being used by Israel to carry out its war goals.
Israel cut off all food and other supplies to Gaza for more 2 1/2 months this year, driving its population toward famine, in what it said was a move to push Hamas to make concessions in negotiations and release hostages.
Story continues below advertisement
It eased the blockade in March. The Foreign Ministry and COGAT, the Israeli defense body in charge of coordinating aid to Gaza, said Wednesday that Israel has facilitated the entry of over 3,000 aid trucks into the Gaza Strip since May 19.
That amounts to around 28 trucks a day, a fraction of the hundreds of trucks a day aid workers say are needed.
In a statement Tuesday, GHF rejected criticism of its operations and said it has delivered the equivalent of more than 52 million meals. GHF distributes boxes of food staples such as lentils and rice, saying one box holds the equivalent of more than 50 meals.
Witnesses have reported scenes of chaos at GHF sites as desperate crowds race to pick up food boxes, with some taking more than one while many others go empty-handed. Much of the food is sold in markets at astronomical prices.
Work continues on elusive ceasefire
The Gaza Health Ministry said the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza has passed 57,000 since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its death count but says more than half of the dead are women and children.
Story continues below advertisement
The deaths come as Israel and Hamas inch closer to a possible ceasefire that would end the 21-month war.
1:38
Israel agrees to 60-day ceasefire proposal announced by Trump
Trump said Tuesday that Israel had agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. Hamas' response emphasized its demand that the truce lead to an end to the war.
The Israeli military blames Hamas for the civilian casualties because it operates from populated areas. The military said it targeted Hamas militants and rocket launchers in northern Gaza that fired toward Israel on Wednesday.
The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages.
The war has left the coastal Palestinian territory in ruins, with much of the urban landscape flattened in the fighting. More than 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million population has been displaced, often multiple times.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
Pediatric care in Kelowna lags behind other health jurisdictions: KGH department head
A department head at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) is highlighting what he says are the serious gaps in pediatric health care delivery in the wake of the ongoing pediatric ward closures at the hospital. 'This is an unprecedented situation,' said Dr. Duncan de Souza, head of KGH's anesthesia department. 'We do not know of anything similar that has ever happened in British Columbia, where a major hospital has lost such a key component of its services.' De Souza, who provides care to pediatric patients, spoke at Wednesday's town hall meeting, which was organized in the wake of the pediatric crisis at KGH. He provided comparisons in pediatric services between Interior health (IH) and Vancouver Island Health (VIH) as an example of how much IH is lagging behind. 'Vancouver Island Health Authority has 900,000 people. So does IHA. Victoria is their major referral centre, as is Kelowna and their level of pediatric care is vastly superior to ours,' de Souza told the roughly 100 people in attendance. Story continues below advertisement The advanced pediatric care, as outlined by de Souza, is offered at Victoria General Hospital (VGH). 'They have a higher level newborn ICU. They have a pediatric ICU, which we don't have,' de Souza said. 'They have dedicated services for children in the emergency room. They have a much, much more robust and active pediatric surgical program.' De Souza said he believes the stark difference in pediatric care in the two health authorities boils down to advocacy efforts. 'What we have now is the result of whatever level of advocacy and push for pediatrics that existed in IHA and we see the effects of what's going on now,' de Souza said. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy KGH's 10-bed pediatric unit closed on May 26 with the closure now approaching the six-week mark. It's not known when it will re-open. According to IH, 19 pediatric patients who needed a hospital admission had to be transferred to other hospitals across the IH region, including Vernon, Penticton and Kamloops. 2:09 Interior Health executive compensation despite ongoing issues at KGH Pediatricians have been calling for changes to the staffing and health care delivery model for years but they have said their concerns were not taken seriously enough. Story continues below advertisement It prompted many of them to resign from the hospital, leaving KGH with a severe shortage of pediatricians — which resulted in the ward closure. The unit's closure has impacted other departments, including the emergency room (ER). 'We're holding those children in our department for longer,' said Dr. Matthew Petrie, an ER physician. 'If they're sick enough to require transfer right then, that usually means one of our physicians and at least one or two of our nurses are dedicated to dealing with that sick child and that just pulls resources away from a system that's already under-resourced.' De Souza believes a model similar to that in Victoria should be seriously considered. 'When we look for a solution for a sustainable model for Kelowna General and for IHA, we don't have to look far and wide,' de Souza said. 'We only have to look in our own province to find something that works.' The ministry of health stated it is aware of calls for Kelowna to receive services comparable to those in other communities. It added, 'the ministry is currently reviewing a related proposal that was recently submitted from Interior Health.' It's not known, however, what that proposal entails. In an email to Global News, IH cautioned about making comparisons between two health jurisdictions, in this case stating, 'to make a direct comparison of Kelowna to Victoria does not factor in significant differences in geography, transportation routes or population disbursement of these two regions.' Story continues below advertisement IH also stated that population growth in recent years has required the health authority to focus on a review of service delivery models, adding it has expanded the neonatal intensive care unit at KGH. Medical staff on the front lines however, have said a lot more needs to be done to keep up with the growing demand. 'We are at an inflection point. I hope things improve,' de Souza said. 'I hope that we can follow the model that's out there in Victoria for a better level of pediatric care.' 2:42 Health care addressed at Kelowna townhall
Cision Canada
3 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Detection of Dermo in oysters in Prince Edward Island
OTTAWA, ON, July 4, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of the aquatic animal disease Dermo (also known as Perkinsosis) in oyster samples collected in Egmont Bay, Prince Edward Island (PEI). Dermo does not pose a risk to human health or food safety, but it can cause increased oyster mortality and decreased growth rates. This is the first confirmed case of Dermo in PEI. To limit the spread of the disease, the CFIA, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Province of PEI are working together with partners to monitor the situation and take necessary action. These actions are part of the Government of Canada's One Health approach to prepare for, detect, and manage animal diseases. In addition to existing robust protective measures and increased animal surveillance, the CFIA, DFO and the Province of PEI continue to conduct activities to gain insight into the presence of Dermo in the area. At this time, these response measures include: applying movement controls to oysters in the area; further investigating the potential source of the detection; engaging scientists, producers and harvesters to continue to monitor mollusc health, including notifying CFIA or the Province of sick oysters or when decreased rates of growth or increased mortalities are observed; and ensuring that information regarding detection and movement control information is available. Quick Facts Perkinsus marinus causes Dermo in cultured and wild American oysters (Crassostrea virginica). It does not affect other bivalves in this area, including mussels, scallops, or clams; however, it can cause increased oyster mortality and decreased growth rates. Dermo can be transmitted from oyster to oyster, or from water contaminated with the parasite. Dermo poses no risks to human health and is not a food safety concern. Canada's National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP), co-delivered by the CFIA and DFO, is responsible for preventing the introduction and/or spread of significant aquatic animal diseases of finfish, molluscs and crustaceans. Perkinsus marinus (Dermo) – Canadian Food Inspection Agency Perkinsus marinus ("Dermo" Disease) of Oysters – Fisheries and Oceans Canada National Aquatic Animal Health Program Facebook: CFIACanada X: @InspectionCan YouTube: @CFIA Instagram: @CFIA_Canada LinkedIn: Canadian Food Inspection Agency Each day, hard-working Canadian Food Inspection Agency employees—including inspectors, veterinarians, and scientists—inspect food for safety risks, work to protect plants from pests and invasive species, and respond to animal diseases that could threaten Canada's animal resource base and human health. Guided by science-based decision-making and modern regulations, the Agency verifies that food sold in Canada is safe while supporting access to international markets for our high-quality agricultural products. To learn more, visit
Cision Canada
3 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Detections of MSX and Dermo in oysters in Quebec
OTTAWA, ON, July 4, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of the aquatic animal diseases multinucleate sphere unknown (MSX) and Dermo (also known as Perkinsosis) in oyster samples collected in Chaleur Bay, Québec. MSX and Dermo do not pose risks to human health or food safety, but they can cause increased oyster mortality and decreased growth rates. These are the first confirmed cases of MSX and Dermo in Quebec. To limit the spread of the diseases, the CFIA, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the province of Quebec are working together with partners to monitor the situation and take necessary action. These actions are part of the Government of Canada's One Health approach to prepare for, detect, and manage animal diseases. In addition to existing robust protective measures and increased animal surveillance, the CFIA, in collaboration with DFO and the province of Quebec, continues to conduct tracing activities and testing of oysters to gain insight into the presence of MSX and Dermo in the area. Response measures include: applying movement controls to oysters, further investigating the potential source of the detections, engaging scientists, producers and harvesters to continue to monitor mollusc health, including notifying CFIA or the province of sick oysters or when decreased rates of growth or increased mortalities are observed, and ensuring that information regarding detection and movement control information is available to producers. Quick Facts MSX and Dermo pose no risk to human health and are not food safety concerns. Haplosporidium nelsoni causes multinucleate sphere unknown (MSX) in cultured and wild American oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Perkinsus marinus causes Perkinsosis (also known as Dermo) in cultured and wild American oysters (Crassostrea virginica). These diseases do not affect other bivalves in this area, including mussels, scallops, or clams; however, they can cause increased oyster mortality and decreased growth rates. With MSX, it is presumed there is an unknown intermediary host which makes it harder to determine how it is spread. Dermo can be transmitted from oyster to oyster, or from water contaminated with the parasite. Canada's National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP), co-delivered by the CFIA and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), is responsible for preventing the introduction and/or spread of significant aquatic animal diseases of finfish, molluscs and crustaceans. Facebook: CFIACanada X: @InspectionCan YouTube: @CFIA Instagram: @CFIA_Canada LinkedIn: Canadian Food Inspection Agency Each day, hard-working Canadian Food Inspection Agency employees—including inspectors, veterinarians, and scientists—inspect food for safety risks, work to protect plants from pests and invasive species, and respond to animal diseases that could threaten Canada's animal resource base and human health. Guided by science-based decision-making and modern regulations, the Agency verifies that food sold in Canada is safe while supporting access to international markets for our high-quality agricultural products. To learn more, visit
