• At least 16 Palestinians, including children, were killed in an Israeli strike near a medical centre in Gaza.
• The strike occurred during ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
• Health authorities in Gaza reported severe injuries, particularly among women and children.
• Humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate, with significant casualties since the outbreak of conflict.
• The US is involved in negotiations, but a breakthrough appears unlikely in the immediate future.

On Thursday, an Israeli strike targeted Palestinians queueing near a medical centre in Deir al-Balah, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 individuals, including several children, according to local health authorities. The strike coincided with ongoing negotiations for a proposed 60-day ceasefire, which have shown little promise of reaching a swift resolution, as indicated by both Israeli officials and health officials in Gaza stating that the circumstances are dire amidst rising casualties, with official figures now suggesting over 57,000 deaths have occurred since the onset of conflict.

Witnesses and health officials reported that many of the injured were in critical condition, with severe trauma, particularly to the head and chest. The Israeli military stated that the strike aimed at a militant involved in the Hamas-led October 7 attack that ignited current hostilities, while allegations arise regarding the collateral damage inflicted on civilians, especially within healthcare settings. Videos from the scene showed distressing imagery of dead and injured individuals, predominantly women and children, littering the area around the medical facility, further highlighting the humanitarian crisis continuing in Gaza, as noted by BBC, Reuters, and Channel News Asia.

The Israeli official accompanying Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is currently in the U.S., indicated that an agreement on a ceasefire would not be reached for at least another week, despite ongoing discussions mediated by the U.S. and other parties. The intricacies of negotiations reveal serious disputes, such as whether Israel would retain control over parts of Gaza post-ceasefire, complicating further potential agreements. In her grief, Samah al-Nouri expressed despair over her daughter's death at a hospital, questioning the moral justification for the attacks aimed at those seeking medical assistance, underlining the devastating impact of such military operations on Gaza's civilian populace, which is exacerbated by frequent strikes on healthcare facilities documented by organizations such as the U.N.

Humanitarian conditions in Gaza have deteriorated significantly due to the ongoing conflict, which has included at least 686 reported attacks on healthcare since it began. In light of severe shortages in medical supplies and essential services, medical professionals are forced to make difficult decisions regarding patient care within congested and damaged facilities, leading to tragic circumstances for vulnerable populations, particularly children, emphasized by medical professionals at al-Shifa hospital and aligned reports from BBC, Reuters, and Channel News Asia.