DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli airstrikes on Thursday resulted in the deaths of at least 17 Palestinians, including 10 children and three women, according to local health officials. The attacks targeted homes and tents in central and southern Gaza, intensifying international calls for a ceasefire amid the ongoing conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, stated that France has recognized a Palestinian state. He argued that this recognition is essential to isolate Hamas, which has shown resilience despite the loss of many leaders. "Total war in Gaza is causing civilian casualties but can’t bring about the end of Hamas. Factually, it’s a failure," Macron said in an interview. He urged U.S. President Donald Trump to advocate for a ceasefire, emphasizing that "you cannot stop the war if there is no path to peace."

In the early hours of Thursday, an Israeli strike in the central town of Zawaida killed at least 12 people, including a couple and five of their children. Footage from the scene showed a collapsed building, with the arm of a child visible beneath the rubble. Another strike in Deir al-Balah killed a girl and injured seven others. In Khan Younis, an attack on an apartment building resulted in the deaths of a man, his pregnant wife, and their 10-year-old child.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly, with reports of famine conditions in some areas. Over 300,000 people have fled their homes, but up to 700,000 remain, many unable to afford relocation. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that Israel has halted aid deliveries to northern Gaza since September 12, exacerbating the food crisis. Charity kitchens have also been forced to close, reducing the number of free meals provided daily.

In response to the growing recognition of Palestinian statehood by several countries, including France and Belgium, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned these actions. He stated, "I will denounce those leaders who, instead of denouncing the murderers, want to give them a state in the heart of the land of Israel. It will not happen."

Netanyahu is scheduled to address the U.N. General Assembly on Friday and meet with Trump in Washington. He has indicated that he will discuss Israel's ongoing military objectives, including the return of hostages and the defeat of Hamas.

The conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that Israel's military campaign has killed over 65,000 people, with women and children comprising about half of the fatalities. The ministry's figures are considered by many independent experts to be the most reliable estimates of wartime casualties.