On Sunday, September 28, 2025, the Gaza Strip was once again engulfed in violence as Israeli military operations resulted in the deaths of at least 37 Palestinian civilians, with many others injured, according to medical sources. The relentless airstrikes and ground assaults targeted multiple areas across the densely populated territory, leaving families devastated, infrastructure in ruins, and a deepening humanitarian crisis. The attacks, which spanned from northern Gaza City to southern regions like Rafah and Khan Younis, struck civilian gatherings, residential areas, and even individuals seeking humanitarian aid. This latest wave of violence adds to the staggering toll of over 66,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023, with women and children bearing the brunt of the casualties.
A Day of Devastation Across Gaza
The day began with a series of deadly strikes in Gaza City, the largest urban center in the Gaza Strip. Medical sources reported to Anadolu Agency that one Palestinian was killed in an Israeli bombardment north of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, a key healthcare facility in northern Gaza City. The hospital, already strained by months of conflict and a lack of medical supplies, has become a frequent focal point of military operations, further complicating efforts to treat the wounded. The strike near Al-Shifa underscores the challenges faced by medical personnel operating in a war zone, where even hospitals are not spared from the violence.
In another part of Gaza City, an airstrike targeted civilians near Palestine Stadium in the Ramla neighborhood, killing three Palestinians. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as the explosion ripped through a crowded area, leaving survivors scrambling to assist the wounded amidst the debris. The strike was part of a broader series of airstrikes across Gaza City, which claimed the lives of five additional individuals. The relentless bombardment left residents with little time to seek safety, as the Israeli military’s operations showed no signs of abating.
In the Al-Nasr neighborhood of Gaza City, another devastating attack occurred when the Israeli army struck a civilian gathering. The exact number of casualties remains uncertain, as rescue teams have been unable to retrieve all the bodies trapped under the rubble. Emergency responders, already stretched thin, faced significant challenges in reaching the site due to ongoing military activity and the destruction of roads and infrastructure. The inability to quickly recover victims highlights the dire conditions in Gaza, where access to basic emergency services is severely restricted.
Central Gaza: Nuseirat and Bureij Camps Under Fire
The violence extended to central Gaza, where the Nuseirat refugee camp, home to tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians, was hit hard. Medics reported that an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in the camp killed nine people, including women and children. The strike also injured many others, overwhelming local medical facilities that lack the resources to treat the influx of casualties. The targeting of homes, often crowded with extended families, has become a recurring feature of the conflict, amplifying the human cost.
In a separate incident in the western part of Nuseirat, another airstrike on a home claimed the lives of three more individuals. The attack occurred without warning, leaving residents with no opportunity to evacuate. The destruction of homes in Nuseirat, one of the most densely populated areas of Gaza, has displaced countless families, many of whom are now living in makeshift shelters or on the streets.
Further north, in the town of al-Mughraqa, a Palestinian man was killed by Israeli army fire while collecting firewood. The incident underscores the desperate circumstances faced by Gaza’s residents, who are forced to venture into dangerous areas to gather basic necessities like wood for cooking or heating. The lack of fuel and electricity, exacerbated by the ongoing blockade and military operations, has pushed many Palestinians into precarious situations where even routine tasks carry deadly risks.
In the Bureij refugee camp, another civilian was killed, and several others were injured by Israeli army fire. The camp, like Nuseirat, is a densely packed area where families live in close quarters, making it particularly vulnerable to large-scale casualties from military strikes. The repeated targeting of refugee camps, which house some of Gaza’s most vulnerable populations, has drawn widespread condemnation from humanitarian organizations, who argue that such actions violate international humanitarian law.
Attacks on Aid Seekers and Infrastructure
In a particularly harrowing incident, one civilian was killed by Israeli army fire while seeking humanitarian aid at a distribution site near the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza. The Netzarim Corridor, a militarized zone controlled by Israeli forces, has become a flashpoint for violence, with aid distribution sites frequently caught in the crossfire. The death of an individual seeking assistance highlights the extreme dangers faced by Palestinians attempting to access food, water, and other essentials in a territory grappling with famine conditions.
In southern Gaza, the cities of Rafah and Khan Younis were also targeted. Two aid seekers were killed by Israeli gunfire in these areas, further compounding the challenges of delivering humanitarian assistance. The targeting of individuals seeking aid has raised serious concerns about the safety of civilians in Gaza, where access to food and clean water is increasingly scarce. The United Nations and other aid agencies have repeatedly called for safe passage for humanitarian workers and supplies, but the ongoing violence has made such efforts nearly impossible.
Additionally, two more Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in southern Gaza, according to medical sources. The strikes in Rafah and Khan Younis, both of which have been heavily bombarded throughout the conflict, have left entire neighborhoods in ruins. The destruction of residential areas and critical infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems, has created a public health crisis, with diseases spreading rapidly among the displaced population.
Destruction of Residential Areas in Al-Sabra
In Gaza City’s Al-Sabra neighborhood, witnesses reported that the Israeli army continued its campaign of demolishing residential buildings, using booby-trapped vehicles to carry out the destruction. The tactic of detonating explosives-laden vehicles has caused widespread devastation, leveling homes and displacing families who have nowhere else to go. The destruction of Al-Sabra, a once-thriving residential area, is part of a broader pattern of systematic demolition that has left much of Gaza uninhabitable.
The use of such tactics has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, who argue that the destruction of civilian infrastructure constitutes a violation of international law. The leveling of entire neighborhoods has not only displaced thousands of families but also erased the cultural and historical fabric of Gaza, leaving residents with little hope of rebuilding their lives in the near future.
The Broader Context: A Conflict with Deep Roots
The violence on September 28, 2025, is part of a broader conflict that has its roots in decades of political and territorial disputes between Israel and the Palestinians. The current escalation, which began in October 2023, has been marked by unprecedented levels of destruction and loss of life. According to official figures, the Israeli military has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children. The relentless air and ground assaults have reduced much of Gaza to rubble, with entire neighborhoods flattened and critical infrastructure destroyed.
The conflict has its origins in the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, which led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in what is known as the Nakba, or “catastrophe.” Since then, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been characterized by cycles of violence, failed peace negotiations, and ongoing disputes over land, borders, and the right of return for Palestinian refugees. The Gaza Strip, a small coastal enclave home to over two million people, has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007, severely restricting the movement of goods and people and contributing to widespread poverty and unemployment.
The blockade, combined with repeated military operations, has created a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions. Gaza’s population faces chronic shortages of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies, with the United Nations warning that the territory is on the brink of famine. The destruction of hospitals, schools, and water treatment facilities has further exacerbated the crisis, leaving residents with little access to basic services.
Humanitarian Impact: A Population in Crisis
The human toll of the ongoing conflict is difficult to overstate. The deaths of at least 37 civilians on September 28, 2025, are just a snapshot of the daily violence faced by Gaza’s residents. The targeting of civilian areas, including homes, schools, and hospitals, has made it nearly impossible for families to find safety. The psychological impact on survivors, particularly children, is profound, with many experiencing trauma from the constant threat of airstrikes and the loss of loved ones.
The destruction of infrastructure has also had far-reaching consequences. The lack of clean water and sanitation facilities has led to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and dysentery, particularly among children and the elderly. The collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system, already strained before the escalation, has left medical professionals unable to cope with the influx of casualties. Hospitals like Al-Shifa, once a beacon of hope for the injured, are now operating at a fraction of their capacity, with shortages of medicine, fuel, and trained staff.
The blockade and ongoing military operations have also severely restricted the delivery of humanitarian aid. Aid convoys are frequently delayed or turned back at checkpoints, and the targeting of aid seekers, as seen in the Netzarim Corridor and southern Gaza, has made it dangerous for civilians to access assistance. The United Nations has reported that only a fraction of the required aid is reaching Gaza, leaving millions at risk of starvation and disease.
International Response and Calls for Peace
The international community has been divided in its response to the conflict. Some countries have called for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilian lives, while others have expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself against militant groups in Gaza. The United Nations Security Council has been unable to reach a consensus on how to address the crisis, with vetoes from permanent members stalling efforts to pass resolutions calling for a ceasefire.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented alleged war crimes committed by both sides in the conflict. These groups have called for independent investigations into the targeting of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. However, the lack of accountability and the ongoing violence have left many observers pessimistic about the prospects for peace.
Efforts to broker a ceasefire have repeatedly faltered, with both sides accusing each other of violating previous agreements. The complexity of the conflict, combined with deep-seated mistrust, has made negotiations difficult. Regional powers, including Egypt and Qatar, have attempted to mediate, but progress has been slow, and the violence shows no signs of abating.
The Path Forward: Challenges and Hope
As the conflict in Gaza continues, the prospects for a lasting resolution remain uncertain. The destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals has left Gaza’s population with little hope of rebuilding in the near term. The blockade, which restricts the import of construction materials, further complicates efforts to reconstruct the territory. For many Palestinians, the dream of a stable and prosperous future feels increasingly out of reach.
The international community faces a moral and practical imperative to address the crisis in Gaza. Humanitarian organizations have called for increased aid deliveries, the protection of civilians, and an end to the blockade to allow for the reconstruction of the territory. However, achieving these goals will require political will and cooperation from all parties involved in the conflict.
For the residents of Gaza, each day brings new challenges and heartbreak. The loss of loved ones, the destruction of homes, and the constant threat of violence have taken an immeasurable toll. Yet, amidst the devastation, stories of resilience and solidarity emerge, as communities come together to support one another in the face of unimaginable hardship.
The events of September 28, 2025, serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The deaths of 37 civilians, the destruction of homes, and the targeting of aid seekers are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of violence that has left Gaza on the brink of collapse. As the world watches, the urgent need for a just and lasting solution to the conflict has never been clearer.