On Sunday, September 28, 2025, the Israeli military conducted a series of attacks across the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 37 Palestinian civilians and injuring many others, according to medical sources. The strikes targeted various locations, including residential areas, refugee camps, and civilian gatherings, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region. The following is a detailed account of the events, their impact, and the broader context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Northern Gaza City: A Devastated Urban Center
In northern Gaza City, one Palestinian was killed in an Israeli bombardment near the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, a key healthcare facility that has been repeatedly targeted during the conflict. Medical sources reported to Anadolu Agency that the strike occurred in a densely populated area, raising concerns about the safety of civilians seeking medical care or shelter near the hospital. The Al-Shifa Medical Complex, once a cornerstone of Gaza’s healthcare system, has been severely damaged by repeated attacks, leaving the population with limited access to critical medical services.
Further south in Gaza City, three civilians lost their lives in an airstrike targeting a civilian gathering near Palestine Stadium in the Ramla neighborhood. The attack struck without warning, catching residents off guard as they went about their daily activities. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as families fled the area, with emergency responders struggling to reach the site due to ongoing hostilities and damaged infrastructure.
In a separate series of airstrikes across Gaza City, five additional civilians were killed. The exact locations of these strikes were not specified, but medics reported that the casualties included men, women, and children, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the attacks. The relentless bombardment of Gaza City has left much of the urban center in ruins, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble and residents forced to navigate a landscape of destruction.
In the Al-Nasr neighborhood of Gaza City, another devastating strike targeted a civilian gathering, resulting in an unknown number of deaths. Medical sources indicated that the bodies of the victims remained trapped under the rubble, as rescue teams faced significant challenges in accessing the site. The inability to retrieve victims promptly has become a recurring issue in Gaza, where damaged roads, ongoing airstrikes, and a lack of heavy equipment hinder rescue efforts. Families in the area were left in anguish, awaiting news of loved ones who may still be buried beneath the debris.
Central Gaza: Refugee Camps Under Fire
In central Gaza, the Nuseirat refugee camp, home to thousands of displaced Palestinians, was the site of two deadly attacks. In the first incident, the Israeli military struck a residential home, killing nine people, including women and children, and injuring several others. The attack left the targeted house in ruins, with survivors describing the horror of losing entire families in an instant. Medical teams rushed to the scene, but the scale of destruction made it difficult to provide immediate care to the wounded.
In a separate strike in the western part of the Nuseirat camp, three more civilians were killed when another home was targeted. The attack added to the growing toll of civilian casualties in the densely populated camp, where families have little means of escape or protection from aerial and ground assaults. The Nuseirat camp, like other refugee camps in Gaza, has become a focal point of the conflict, with its residents bearing the brunt of the violence.
Further north, in the town of al-Mughraqa, a Palestinian man was killed by Israeli army fire while collecting firewood. The incident highlighted the perilous conditions faced by civilians attempting to meet basic needs, such as gathering fuel for cooking or heating. With Gaza’s infrastructure decimated and resources scarce, many residents are forced to take life-threatening risks to survive.
In the Bureij refugee camp, another civilian was killed, and several others were injured by Israeli army fire. The attack occurred in an area already reeling from previous strikes, further compounding the suffering of its residents. Medical sources reported that the injured were transported to nearby hospitals, but the lack of medical supplies and overwhelmed facilities made treatment challenging.
Attacks on Aid Seekers
One of the most alarming incidents occurred near the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza, where a civilian was killed by Israeli army fire while seeking humanitarian aid at a distribution site operated by the United States. The Netzarim Corridor, a militarized zone controlled by Israeli forces, has been a flashpoint in the conflict, with aid distribution sites often coming under attack. The death of the civilian underscored the dangers faced by Palestinians attempting to access food, water, and other essential supplies in a region plagued by famine and scarcity.
In southern Gaza, two more aid seekers were killed by Israeli gunfire in the cities of Rafah and Khan Younis. These attacks further restricted access to humanitarian assistance, leaving vulnerable populations without the resources needed to survive. The targeting of aid seekers has drawn widespread condemnation from humanitarian organizations, which have called for an end to attacks on civilians and the protection of aid distribution efforts.
Southern Gaza: Continued Violence
In addition to the attacks on aid seekers, two Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in southern Gaza, according to medical sources. The strikes targeted civilian areas, further contributing to the death toll and deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region. Southern Gaza, once seen as a relatively safer area for displaced Palestinians, has become increasingly dangerous as Israeli military operations have expanded.
Destruction of Residential Areas
Witnesses reported that the Israeli army continued to demolish residential buildings in the Al-Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City by detonating booby-trapped vehicles. This tactic has been used repeatedly throughout the conflict, resulting in the destruction of entire neighborhoods and the displacement of thousands of families. The explosions have left behind a landscape of devastation, with homes, schools, and community centers reduced to rubble. Residents of Al-Sabra described the terror of living under constant threat, with no safe place to seek refuge.
Broader Context: A Humanitarian Catastrophe
The latest wave of attacks is part of a broader Israeli military campaign in Gaza that began in October 2023, following the escalation of hostilities with Palestinian armed groups. Since then, the Israeli army has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children, according to official figures. The relentless air and ground assaults have left Gaza largely uninhabitable, with entire cities reduced to rubble and critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and water systems, destroyed.
The destruction has pushed Gaza’s population of approximately 2.3 million people into a state of famine, with severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies. The United Nations and other humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned of the catastrophic conditions in Gaza, describing the situation as one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. Malnutrition rates have skyrocketed, particularly among children, and diseases are spreading rapidly due to the lack of sanitation and healthcare.
The targeting of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and aid distribution sites, has further exacerbated the crisis. The Al-Shifa Medical Complex, once Gaza’s largest hospital, has been rendered nearly inoperable, leaving thousands of patients without access to life-saving care. Similarly, attacks on schools and refugee camps have deprived families of safe spaces, forcing them to live in makeshift shelters or on the streets.
International Response and Calls for Accountability
The international community has faced growing pressure to address the crisis in Gaza. Human rights organizations have accused Israel of committing war crimes, including the disproportionate use of force and the targeting of civilians. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been urged to investigate allegations of atrocities, while several countries have called for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to deliver aid.
However, efforts to broker a lasting ceasefire have so far been unsuccessful, with both sides accusing each other of violating previous agreements. The United States, a key ally of Israel, has faced criticism for its continued military and financial support, particularly in light of the targeting of US-operated aid sites. Humanitarian organizations have called for an end to the blockade of Gaza, which has restricted the flow of essential goods and trapped civilians in a cycle of violence and deprivation.
The Human Toll
The human cost of the conflict is staggering. Families have been torn apart, with entire generations wiped out in single strikes. Survivors are left to grapple with the loss of loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, while children face a future marked by trauma and uncertainty. The psychological toll of living under constant bombardment, coupled with the physical hardships of famine and displacement, has left Gaza’s population in a state of despair.
Medics and rescue workers, who are themselves at risk, have been working tirelessly to save lives and provide care under impossible conditions. Many have lost their own families or homes, yet continue to serve their communities with remarkable resilience. However, the lack of resources and the ongoing danger of airstrikes have made their work increasingly difficult.
Conclusion
The Israeli military’s attacks on Sunday, September 28, 2025, represent a continuation of a devastating campaign that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and left Gaza in ruins. The targeting of civilians, including aid seekers and residents of refugee camps, has deepened the humanitarian crisis and drawn widespread condemnation. As the conflict enters its second year, the international community faces an urgent responsibility to address the root causes of the violence, protect civilians, and ensure accountability for those responsible for the suffering in Gaza. Without immediate action, the toll on human lives and the prospects for peace in the region will only worsen.
