Israeli Strikes Kill 25 in Gaza Amid Stalled Ceasefire, Famine Risks

At least 25 Palestinians were killed overnight by Israeli airstrikes and gunfire near the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza, with many victims shot while waiting for aid trucks amid a growing humanitarian crisis. The violence occurred as ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas stalled after the US and Israel recalled their negotiating teams, casting uncertainty over the future of peace efforts. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated his government might consider alternatives to ceasefire talks, while mediators Egypt and Qatar said the pause was temporary. The United Nations has warned that Gaza faces famine, exacerbated by Israeli military restrictions on aid movements and incidents of looting, despite claims by Israel that aid trucks are allowed in without limits. In recent months, the UN reported over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while attempting to access aid distribution points, with UN officials condemning the situation as a humanitarian disaster. The ongoing conflict, which began with Israel's October 2023 offensive, has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and severe shortages of food and medical supplies in Gaza.