DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 15 individuals, including a child, in southern Gaza early Saturday, as reported by hospital staff. This incident coincides with ongoing efforts for ceasefire discussions in Qatar amidst a backdrop of conflict. A small boy was seen mourning over his father, while a woman mournfully covered one of the deceased, wrapped in white plastic. According to staff at Nasser Hospital, the airstrikes targeted a vehicle, a residence, and civilians on the street in Khan Younis.

The Civil Defense, which consists of first responders affiliated with the Hamas-run government, revealed that another airstrike led to the destruction of a residential area behind the Saraya complex in Gaza City, claiming at least five more lives. Despite the severity of the situation, there has been no immediate statement from Israel’s military.

In the last 24 hours, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that at least 59 people have been killed, with over 270 injured. Indirect negotiations in Qatar's capital, Doha, to secure a ceasefire have been resumed, according to Hamas, which cautioned against misinformation that could erode public trust.

The ongoing conflict, which commenced when Hamas and allied militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, is now recognized as the deadliest phase of violence between the groups. The initial attack resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly among civilians, and around 250 abductions, with approximately 100 hostages still believed to be in Gaza—many feared dead.

Amidst the turmoil, families of hostages have organized weekly rallies urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to engage in ceasefire negotiations that would facilitate the return of abducted loved ones. A video released by Hamas on Saturday featured Liri Albag, an Israeli soldier held captive, who disclosed her anguish after being in captivity for 450 days. “Today is the beginning of a new year; the whole world is celebrating. Only we are entering a dark year, a year of loneliness,” she stated during the video while revealing that a fellow hostage had been injured due to the ongoing fighting.

Israel’s military response has claimed the lives of at least 45,717 Palestinians in Gaza, as per the Health Ministry in the territory, which has not made distinctions between combatants and civilians. Women and children constitute a significant proportion of the deceased, with many bodies still trapped beneath rubble or inaccessible locations. Israel maintains that its operations target militants and attributes civilian casualties to Hamas's strategy of operating in densely populated areas. The Israeli military asserts that approximately 17,000 militants have been killed, although it has not provided substantiating evidence.

The relentless conflict has led to widespread devastation, displacing nearly 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. As winter sets in, many are seeking refuge in tents along the coastline, with reports of children succumbing to exposure to harsh weather.

In related developments, violence continues in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where the Palestinian Health Ministry reported the death of an 18-year-old during clashes with Israeli forces in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, along with injuries to nine others. Since October 7, more than 800 Palestinians have reportedly been killed during Israeli operations in the West Bank, with Israel asserting that the majority are militants, though non-combatants have also fallen victim to the violence.

These developments unfold amid a delicate ceasefire scenario with Hezbollah, which has so far managed to hold despite substantial tensions since the onset of the Gaza conflict.

For more detailed coverage, follow AP’s war updates at AP News.