Gaza City – At least 17 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed as Israeli airstrikes pounded parts of the Gaza Strip on Sunday, amid reports that ceasefire negotiations have stalled over disagreements regarding Israeli troop withdrawals from the besieged territory.

The latest wave of attacks struck refugee camps in the central city of Deir al-Balah and other areas, including Khan Younis and parts of northern Gaza, leaving several residential buildings in rubble. Local medical sources confirmed that a number of the dead were civilians, further fueling anger in the war-ravaged enclave.

Emergency workers and family members were seen pulling bodies from the debris as the death toll continued to rise. Many of the victims had taken shelter in areas previously considered “safe” by Israeli forces.

The renewed violence comes at a time when international efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appear to be faltering. While both sides have been engaged in indirect talks mediated by Egypt and Qatar, sources familiar with the negotiations say progress has stalled over Israel’s reluctance to commit to a complete withdrawal of troops from Gaza.

Hamas has maintained that any truce must include the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, a permanent end to hostilities, and the unrestricted return of displaced civilians. Israel, on the other hand, insists on retaining security oversight in parts of Gaza and has been pressing for the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas as a precondition.

In Tel Aviv, officials stated that Israeli forces were targeting what they described as “terrorist infrastructure,” and emphasized that operations would continue until “all military objectives are achieved.”

However, Palestinian officials and humanitarian organizations argue that the brunt of the attacks continues to fall on civilians. The healthcare system in Gaza remains crippled, with hospitals overwhelmed, medical supplies running dangerously low, and thousands of displaced families lacking access to clean water and food.

The United Nations has once again called for an immediate ceasefire, warning that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached “catastrophic levels.” Aid agencies have repeatedly said that the lack of security guarantees has made it nearly impossible to deliver life-saving assistance to large parts of the population.

Since the conflict escalated last October, more than 38,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health authorities, with the majority being women and children. In Israel, the war began following a deadly cross-border assault by Hamas fighters, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians.

As the situation deteriorates and diplomatic channels hit roadblocks, fear continues to grow that the war could drag on through the summer, deepening regional instability and worsening an already unprecedented humanitarian disaster.