Israeli Attacks Kill 18 Palestinians in Gaza; Settlers Kill Dozens of Sheep in West Bank

At least 18 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip since dawn, according to medical sources in the besieged enclave. Hospital officials told Al Jazeera that the strikes targeted various residential areas, including neighborhoods previously designated as “safe zones” by Israeli forces.

The deadliest of today’s assaults occurred in the al-Mawasi area of southern Gaza, where tents housing displaced Palestinians were bombed. The attack sparked a massive fire and killed at least five people, including children. Al-Mawasi had been labeled a “safe zone” by the Israeli military, but has repeatedly come under fire in recent weeks. The repeated strikes on supposed safety zones have drawn sharp international criticism and accusations of deliberate targeting of civilians.

Later, in the Tuffah neighborhood of eastern Gaza City, three more people were reported dead in another Israeli air raid. Additional casualties were reported in central and northern Gaza, as air raids and artillery shelling continued into the afternoon. With civilian shelters offering no safety, the population remains trapped in an ever-shrinking landscape of destruction and fear.

Read more: Israeli Attacks Kill Over 90 in Gaza in 24 Hours, Including Aid Seekers and Churchgoers

Targeting of Displaced Palestinians in ‘Safe Zones’ Raises Alarm

The bombing of the al-Mawasi camp adds to growing outrage over Israel’s repeated attacks on areas marked as humanitarian safe zones. International observers, including the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, have expressed deep concern about the lack of safe corridors for civilians in Gaza. The attack on al-Mawasi is not the first of its kind. Similar strikes have occurred near schools, hospitals, and tent encampments, where thousands of Palestinians had fled for safety.

Footage from the aftermath of the al-Mawasi attack shows tents reduced to ashes, with charred bodies being pulled from the rubble. Witnesses described scenes of panic as survivors scrambled to rescue the injured and extinguish the fire.

Human rights groups have called for an independent investigation into repeated violations of international humanitarian law. “These deliberate or reckless attacks on civilian infrastructure are war crimes,” said one representative from a leading human rights organization. Despite growing condemnation, the Israeli military continues to insist that its operations target “Hamas infrastructure,” a claim disputed by the rising civilian death toll.

Read more: Ben-Gvir Urges Netanyahu to Halt Ceasefire Talks with Hamas

Settlers Accused of Livestock Theft and Violence in Jordan Valley

Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers reportedly stole and killed dozens of sheep belonging to Palestinian families in the northern Jordan Valley. According to Wafa news agency, settlers attacked the Palestinian community in the al-Malih area, stealing livestock and killing at least 117 sheep.

Mahdi Daraghmeh, head of the al-Malih village council, confirmed the attack and said armed settlers also assaulted several residents and destroyed Palestinian-owned tents. “These violent incursions are part of an ongoing campaign to push Palestinians off their land,” Daraghmeh told local media.

The Jordan Valley, a fertile and strategic part of the West Bank, has long been a flashpoint between Palestinian farmers and Israeli settlers. Settler violence has surged in recent months, often with little to no accountability from Israeli authorities. Reports indicate that such attacks are part of a broader effort to expand illegal settlements and intimidate Palestinian communities.

Palestinian officials have called on international bodies to take urgent action. “This is not only an attack on property but a crime against livelihoods and survival,” said a spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority. As settler violence escalates alongside military operations in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen across the Palestinian territories.

Read more: Deadly Fire in Iraq Mall Highlights Fire Safety Failures

Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,, X and TikTok for latest updates