Israeli strikes kill more than 40 in Gaza, say health officials
Health officials at Shifa Hospital, where most of the bodies were taken, said 14 people died in a strike late Saturday that hit a residential building in the southern part of the city.
September 21, 2025 09:44 PM IST
First published on: Sep 21, 2025 at 09:44 PM IST
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Smoke rises following an explosion in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo)
Israeli strikes in Gaza City and a refugee camp killed more than 40 people, including 19 women and children, health officials said on Sunday. The attacks come as UK, Australia and Canada formally recognised a Palestinian state.
Health officials at Shifa Hospital, where most of the bodies were taken, said 14 people died in a strike late Saturday that hit a residential building in the southern part of the city. A nurse who worked at the hospital, along with his wife and three children, were among the dead.
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Another strike targeted a group of people outside a clinic in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, killing at least eight Palestinians, including four children and two women, according to Al-Awda Hospital. Twenty-two others were wounded. Israel has not commented on the strikes.
Drone strike in Lebanon
In southern Lebanon, the Health Ministry said an Israeli drone strike in Bint Jbeil killed five people, including three children. Two others were wounded. The Israeli military did not comment.
An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires a shell from southern Israel towards the Gaza Strip, in a position near the Israel-Gaza border on, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo)
Since a US-brokered ceasefire ended the monthslong conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in November, Israel has carried out almost daily strikes in southern Lebanon, saying they target Hezbollah. The Lebanese government has said the attacks violate the ceasefire and hinder efforts to disarm the group.
Palestinian state recognition
On Sunday, Australia, Canada and the UK formally recognised a Palestinian state. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move was meant “to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis,” and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the announcement.
Other Western countries, including France, Malta, Belgium and Luxembourg, are expected to announce recognition during the United Nations General Assembly on Monday. Portugal also said it would recognise a Palestinian state.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said calls to recognise a Palestinian state “endanger our existence and constitute an absurd reward for terrorism.” He added: “The international community will hear from us on this matter in the coming days.”
Anti-War Protests in Israel
The Israeli military operation, which began this week, has escalated the conflict and could delay any ceasefire. Israel has not given a timeline for the offensive but said it could take months. The operation is intended to pressure Hamas into freeing hostages and surrendering.
Ahead of the UN meeting, peace activists in Israel welcomed the recognition of a Palestinian state. A coalition of more than 60 Jewish and Arab organisations, representing around 1,000 activists, called for an end to the war, the release of hostages, and recognition of a Palestinian state.
In a video statement, the group said, “We refuse to live forever by the sword. The UN decision offers a historic opportunity to move from a death trap to life, from an endless war to a future of security and freedom for both peoples.”
Tens of thousands of people in Israel protested on Saturday night, calling for an end to the war and a deal for hostages.
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza
Israeli bombardment over the past 23 months has killed more than 65,000 people in Gaza, displaced about 90% of the population and caused a humanitarian crisis, with reports of food shortages in Gaza City.
Displaced Palestinians walks through a tent camp in Muwasi, an area that Israel has designated as a safe zone, in Khan Younis southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP)
The military said it killed Majed Abu Selmiya, whom it described as a sniper for Hamas’ military wing preparing attacks in Gaza City, without providing evidence. Majed was the brother of Shifa Hospital director Dr Mohamed Abu Selmiya, who called the claim false, saying Israel was trying to justify the killing of civilians.
Israel has ordered hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza City to move south to designated humanitarian zones. Many are leaving by car or on foot, but some are too weak or cannot afford to move. Aid groups warned that forced evacuation would worsen the humanitarian crisis and called for a ceasefire so aid could reach those in need.
Pope Leo XIV criticised what he called the “forced exile” of Palestinians and said there was no future for Gaza based on violence. During his Sunday blessing, he called for peace and praised Catholic organisations helping Palestinians.
Israel’s talks with Syria
At a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said Israel’s success against Hezbollah “has opened a window for the possibility of peace with our neighbours to the north.” He added that Israel is in talks with Syria and that there has been some progress.
Israel has occupied parts of southwest Syria since the fall of former President Bashar Assad. Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa said talks for a security deal are ongoing and hopes Israeli troops will return to pre-1974 positions.
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Smoke rises following an explosion in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo) 
