Israeli Strikes Kill 36 in Gaza as Aid Restrictions Loosen

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — At least 36 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza on Monday, local health officials reported. The attacks came just one day after Israel eased some aid restrictions, announcing limited daily pauses in military operations to allow humanitarian access.

Among the dead was a newborn baby, delivered via emergency surgery after his pregnant mother was killed in a strike. According to Nasser Hospital, both mother and child died shortly afterward.

Limited Humanitarian Pause

Israel said Sunday it would pause military activity for 10 hours daily in three regions: Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Muwasi. The aim was to facilitate aid delivery amid worsening hunger and international outcry over conditions in the besieged territory.

The Israeli military emphasized that operations would continue outside the pause window and did not comment on the latest strikes. The attacks occurred outside the 10 a.m.–8 p.m. window, and in some cases during it, according to local reports.

Civilian Toll Mounts

  • A strike on a home in Muwasi killed 13 people, including a pregnant woman and her newborn.

  • In Khan Younis, 11 people—mostly women and children—died in a strike on a two-story house.

  • Seven others were reportedly killed near an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

In total, at least 36 fatalities were confirmed Monday, with dozens more wounded.

“Accessing food has become so dangerous that people are risking their lives just to eat,” a local hospital official said.

U.S. Response and International Pressure

Images of malnourished children have drawn global condemnation. President Donald Trump called them “terrible” on Sunday, adding pressure on Israel to allow more humanitarian assistance.

Since March, Israel has periodically restricted food, fuel, and medicine in efforts to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. Though some restrictions eased in May, aid operations remain chaotic, and traditional providers face growing challenges due to breakdowns in law and order.

Context of the Conflict

  • On October 7, 2023, Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and captured 251 hostages.

  • Israel claims that 50 hostages remain in captivity, though it believes more than half have died.

  • The ongoing Israeli offensive has killed over 59,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which states that more than half were women and children.

Despite operating under Hamas, the U.N. and other international organizations regard the Health Ministry as the most reliable source for casualty data in the region.

Source: AP News