Gaza officials say Israeli forces carried out a new wave of strikes that killed 118 people over four days, from the dawn of Saturday, Oct. 4, through the end of Tuesday, Oct. 7.
The Gaza Government Media Office accused Israel of pressing on with the bombing despite a call from US President Donald Trump to stop the attacks and what it described as a positive response from Hamas to his ceasefire plan. The office said more than 230 air and artillery strikes hit crowded residential and displacement areas across the territory, and it used strong language, condemning the attacks as “clear massacres.” It also called on the US and the wider international community to act quickly to force a real ceasefire.
Of the 118 people reported killed, 72 were in Gaza City alone, and many of the victims were women and children, the statement said.
President Trump had urged Israel to halt the bombardment on Saturday after he said Hamas had answered his 20-point ceasefire proposal. Trump later posted on Truth Social that weekend talks were “positive” and “proceeding rapidly.” Diplomats from Egypt and Qatar have been helping to keep indirect talks going, and Israel and Hamas returned to negotiations on Monday in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Egypt’s foreign minister said the talks are meant to lay the groundwork for a hostage-for-prisoner swap, allow unhindered humanitarian aid into Gaza, and map out where Israeli forces might pull back before a wider withdrawal.
The human cost of the fighting has been enormous. Since October 2023, Gaza’s health authorities say more than 67,100 people have been killed and many more wounded, with women and children making up a large share of the casualties. Officials and aid groups say the enclave has been left in an almost unlivable state. The situation remains fragile as talks continue and fighting goes on.
