At least 60 people killed, 343 injured in 24 hours: Gaza Health Ministry
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza says many victims of Israel’s latest attacks remain under rubble, and ambulance and Civil Defence crews are unable to reach them. The ministry said at least 60 people have been killed and 343 others injured over the latest 24-hour reporting period.
According to the ministry, the overall death toll from Israeli attacks has risen to 62,064 since October 7, 2023, with 156,573 injured. Since March 18 when Israel unilaterally ended a ceasefire, 10,518 people have been killed and 44,532 injured.
Among those killed in the latest 24-hour period were 31 people seeking aid; 197 were injured. The ministry said that since the start of the war, 1,996 people have been killed and more than 14,898 injured while trying to access humanitarian assistance.
The ministry also reported three deaths in 24 hours due to starvation and malnutrition, bringing the total to 266, including 112 children.
Israeli operations expanding towards Gaza City’s urban centres
Despite Hamas delivering a positive response to the ceasefire proposal, Israel is increasing air strikes across Gaza.
We have been speaking to residents in Gaza City who confirm Israel has been launching a deadly barrage of air strikes on densely populated areas. They also say there has been a slight, but dangerous, expansion of ground activity closer to the city’s key urban centres.
In addition to destroying over 450 residential blocks in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood, Israel’s operations have now expanded to the nearby Sabra area. These areas lead to the main heart of Gaza City.
People believe that Israel is trying to exert maximum pressure in order to destroy what’s left of the city’s civilian infrastructure. They are also trying to create an environment in which people will not be allowed back into these areas.
There are still families trapped in Zeitoun neighbourhood. Emergency services say they have been dealing with countless emergency calls, but the intensity of the bombardment is really hampering rescue operations.
Palestinians salvage items from the rubble of homes destroyed in Israeli strikes on the Zeitoun neighbourhood in Gaza City
No place is safe for children in Gaza: UNRWA
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) says schools have become shelters for “hundreds of thousands of people” in Gaza amid constant Israeli bombardments that have levelled homes.
In a post on X, UNRWA said Palestinians have “sought protection under the UN flag” only for the shelters to be targeted. “[And] become a place for death, including for too many children. No place is safe for children in Gaza. Ceasefire now,” the agency said.
Citing the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UNRWA noted that in the past five months of the war in Gaza, since Israel broke the ceasefire and resumed attacks, “an average of over 540 children have been killed every month, per reports”.
“In #Gaza, UNRWA schools have become shelters for hundreds of thousands of people.
People sought protection under the UN flag only for these shelters to become a place for death including for too many children.
No place is safe for #children in Gaza.#CeasefireNow”
— UNRWA… pic.twitter.com/SdIrUCF5gt
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) August 19, 2025
Four aid seekers killed in Israeli attacks in southern Gaza
At least four aid seekers have been killed by Israeli fire in southern Gaza since this morning, Nasser Medical Complex told our colleagues on the ground.
In Gaza City, we are saying goodbye
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/8/19/in-gaza-city-we-are-saying-goodbye
To those who still care, this may be the last letter I write from Gaza City.
We are expecting Israel to officially issue its “evacuation orders” any time now. My beloved city stands on the brink of a full military occupation by the Israeli army.
Their plan is to force us all to leave our homes and move into tents in the southern part of the Strip. We do not know what will happen to those who resist. We may be living our last days in Gaza City.
Do not forget me, Sara Awad, a Palestinian student, whose biggest dream is to finish her degree in English literature and become a professional journalist.
Do not forget the people of Gaza and their 2 million stories of love, heartbreak and perseverance.
