Israeli Strikes Kill 38 in Gaza as Netanyahu Defies Calls for Ceasefire

Kokcha News Agency: Israeli strikes in central and northern Gaza killed at least 38 people early Saturday, including nine members of the same family in the Nuseirat refugee camp, according to health staff at Al-Awda Hospital. The attacks came hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly that Israel “must finish the job” against Hamas in Gaza.

Netanyahu’s speech was met with a mass walkout by delegates from multiple nations, reflecting growing international isolation and pressure on Israel to end the war.

International Pressure:
Countries around the world have been urging U.S. President Donald Trump to push Israel for a ceasefire. On Friday, Trump hinted at a potential deal, saying, “We are close to achieving a deal on easing fighting in Gaza that will get the hostages back and end the war.”

Trump and Netanyahu are scheduled to meet Monday, with Trump describing ongoing “intense negotiations” with regional countries.

Escalating Crisis in Gaza:
Despite international calls for peace, Israel is pressing ahead with a major ground operation in Gaza City, where experts warn famine is taking hold. Over 300,000 people have fled, but up to 700,000 remain, many unable to afford relocation.

Saturday’s Strikes:

• Gaza City’s Tufah neighborhood: A house was demolished, killing at least 11 people, mostly women and children, according to Al-Ahly Hospital.
• Shati refugee camp: An airstrike killed four people, Shifa Hospital reported.
• Southern and central Gaza: Six Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire while seeking aid, according to Nasser and Al-Awda hospitals.

Collapsing Health System:
Hospitals and clinics in Gaza City are on the brink of collapse. Two clinics have been destroyed, two hospitals shut down, and others are barely functioning due to shortages of medicine, equipment, food, and fuel. Many patients and staff have fled, leaving only a few doctors and nurses to care for critically ill patients.

Doctors Without Borders Suspends Operations:
On Friday, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced it was forced to suspend activities in Gaza City due to the intensified Israeli offensive. The group said Israeli tanks were less than half a mile from its facilities, creating an “unacceptable level of risk” for its staff.

Food Crisis:
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that Israel has halted aid deliveries to northern Gaza since September 12 and increasingly rejects UN requests to bring supplies from the south.

Casualties:
Since the war began nearly two years ago, Israel’s campaign has killed over 65,000 people and wounded more than 167,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Women and children make up around half of the fatalities.