ate of Strike: July 13 2025 GAZA CITY — A powerful Israeli airstrike on a bustling market in northern Gaza City nearly derailed fragile ceasefire talks, leading to numerous civilian casualties — women and children included — according to local health authorities and international observers.
On July 7, a strike that hit al-Wehda marketplace killed at least 33 Palestinians and wounded over 90 others, as confirmed by both Gaza’s health ministry and Reuters/AP News/Wikipedia/Reuters
Witnesses described an incredible scene of devastation: demolished stalls, bodies scattered across streets, and desperate pleas for aid as medics and volunteers rushed in to assist the wounded. A survivor recounted to BBC, “We were purchasing food when the bomb dropped; everything turned black.
Israeli officials justified their attack by asserting that militants were operating within the market area. According to statements issued by Israel’s military, its strike had targeted a Hamas command post and endeavored to minimize civilian injuries by issuing warnings and conducting aerial surveillance prior to conducting their strike (Wikipedia).
However, Gaza’s health ministry strongly refuted this allegation, asserting that the strike hit a civilian hub without evidence of militant presence.
Rimal, a densely populated urban district of Gaza City, was bustling with shoppers seeking daily necessities at Rimal Market. Eyewitnesses reported chaotic, overcrowded scenes immediately following the bombing; footage reviewed by reporters revealed residents transporting wounded civilians on donkey carts and rickshaws to overcrowded hospitals amid thick smoke and dust (AP News/Reuters +8)
The strike occurred amid ongoing indirect ceasefire negotiations in Doha, Qatar led by the United States, Egypt and Qatar that are intended to reach an agreement over significant sticking points such as hostage release and Israeli troop withdrawals (Sources at both sites have reported this). Both sides had reached terms on these items but significant sticking points remain; such as hostage release or Israeli troop withdrawals being the top concerns (Reuters +5 on this one).
Palestinian leaders interpreted the market airstrike as an attempt to derail peace negotiations and increase pressure on civilians.
International reaction has been swift and critical. Both the United Nations and European Union condemned Israel’s attack, noting reports of civilian casualties. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned such strikes as unacceptable; he called upon them to uphold international humanitarian law and protect civilians in conflict zones.
Locally, Gaza’s hospitals remain overwhelmed by an influx of casualties. Medical teams report shortages of supplies, overcrowded emergency wards, and disruptions in critical services–exacerbated by an alarming fuel crisis across the territory (Reuters +15; The Guardian; India Times).
Gaza’s ambulance services are operating far below their capacity, with volunteers transporting injured patients in private vehicles as gas prices skyrocket and material resources dwindle.
As more uncertainty erupted, an Israeli strike near a medical clinic in Deir al-Balah on July 10 killed 16 Palestinians – among them 10 children, The Guardian +2 Reuters +2 Indiatimes ecrivered +2.
This incident only escalated the discontent among residents, many accusing Israel of targeting places of shelter and civilian infrastructure.
Humanitarian organizations warn the situation is rapidly devolving into an acute humanitarian catastrophe, with aid workers reporting food insecurity, displacement and public services collapse in Gaza-based NGO Al-Majd’s statement: “Every strike pushes Gaza closer towards starvation – with markets closing down and civilian life coming to a grinding halt as markets collapse and civilian life comes crashing to an abrupt halt.”
Israel has upheld its position that military strikes are being directed only at militant operatives amid urban warfare, with regrettable collateral damage being an inevitable consequence of efforts to dismantle Hamas infrastructure within civilian environments. A spokesperson emphasized this point.
As Gaza reels from these strikes, its death toll continues to increase dramatically. One of the deadliest civilian attacks since hostilities resumed last March was bombing of al-Wehda market; with ceasefire talks still unresolved and potential for more violence still high – prompting urgent global calls for renewed diplomatic intervention and strict observance of war laws.