Gaza City, September 20, 2025: Israel has ramped up its military assault on Gaza City, with an airstrike hitting a school-turned-shelter that killed at least two children. The deadly strike comes just a day after Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip left 43 Palestinians dead.
According to the Palestinian Civil Defence, nearly half of Gaza City’s residents — around 450,000 people — have been forced to flee since Israel launched its large-scale operation in August. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen as families desperately attempt to escape the bombardment.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the situation as the “worst level of death and destruction” he has witnessed in his lifetime. He urged the international community not to be “intimidated” by Israel and called for immediate action to stop the violence.
Since the war began in October 2023, at least 65,141 Palestinians have been killed and 165,925 wounded, with thousands still trapped under the rubble. On the Israeli side, 1,139 people were killed in the October 7 attacks, and around 200 captives remain unaccounted for.
As fire and smoke dominate the Gaza City skyline, displaced Palestinians continue their struggle for survival amid relentless airstrikes and mass displacement.
Key Highlights
- Israeli airstrike kills two children at Gaza school-turned-shelter
- 43 Palestinians killed in strikes a day earlier
- UN chief warns of unprecedented destruction in Gaza
- 450,000 people displaced from Gaza City since August
- Over 65,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023
Source: Field reports, UN statements, and local authorities.
