At least 31 Palestinians were killed on Sunday, September 21, 2025, after Israeli forces carried out fresh airstrikes on Gaza City, according to local health authorities. Tanks also pressed deeper into the city, forcing thousands of residents to abandon their homes.
War With Hamas Approaches Second Year
The Gaza conflict, now in its twenty-third month, continues to escalate. Israel considers Gaza City a Hamas hub and earlier this month launched a renewed ground campaign aimed at dismantling militant networks.
Military officials claimed responsibility for killing several Hamas fighters in the latest offensive but did not acknowledge civilian casualties. Among those killed were a pregnant woman and her two children.
Families Endure Tragedy
Survivors picked through the ruins of bombed-out homes, searching for possessions and loved ones.
-
Mosallam Al-Hadad said his daughter-in-law and her unborn baby were among the dead.
-
His son survived but lost a leg in the strike.
These heartbreaking stories underscore the devastating human impact of the conflict.
Israeli Forces Advance Into Tel Al-Hawa
On the same day, Israeli tanks rolled into Tel Al-Hawa, a neighborhood southeast of Gaza City. The military reported that 30 Hamas militants were killed and weapons were recovered.
Israel claims more than 450,000 people have left Gaza City since September. Hamas disputes this figure, saying closer to 300,000 have fled while around 900,000 remain in the city.
Rocket Attacks Continue
Armed groups in Gaza fired two rockets into southern Israel on Sunday. One was intercepted by air defenses, while the other fell in an open field without causing casualties. The rocket fire highlighted the persistent volatility of the conflict.
International Pressure and Domestic Dissent
Israel is facing growing condemnation abroad. Several Western countries are weighing recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to support the move, despite opposition from Israel and unease from Washington.
Meanwhile, protests are intensifying inside Israel. Families of hostages gathered outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence on Saturday, urging action to secure the release of 48 remaining captives, 20 believed to be alive. Demonstrator Michel Illouz accused Netanyahu of prolonging the conflict and neglecting the hostages.
Mounting Civilian Losses
The war began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken, according to Israeli officials.
Since then, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, the majority of them civilians. The fighting has brought famine, mass displacement, and the destruction of entire neighborhoods, leaving Gaza in a state of deep humanitarian crisis with no end in sight.
