At least 51 people were killed by Israeli forces on Monday, including 24 who died in a strike on a seafront rest area, Gaza’s civil defence agency reported, amid growing international appeals for a ceasefire in the war-torn Palestinian territory.

The deaths come as hopes rise for an end to the fighting following Israel’s recent swift resolution of its 12-day war with Iran. The conflict in Gaza, which has lasted over 20 months, has left more than two million residents facing severe humanitarian crises.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit the White House on July 7, according to a US official speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity. US President Donald Trump recently urged Israel to “make the deal in Gaza”, while Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is currently in Washington for discussions with US officials.

Despite these diplomatic movements, Israeli forces have continued operations across the Palestinian enclave. Witnesses described the aftermath of the Monday strike on Gaza City’s seafront rest area as horrific.

“I saw body parts flying everywhere, and bodies cut and burned… It was a scene that made your skin crawl,” said 26-year-old Ahmed Al-Nayrab, who described a “huge explosion that shook the area” where families often gather for drinks and internet access.

Another eyewitness, 35-year-old Bilal Awkal, said, “Blood covered the ground and screams filled the air. Women and children were everywhere, like a scene from a movie about the end of the world.”

Among those killed in the strike was photojournalist Ismail Abu Hatab, according to Gaza’s Hamas government media office.

When approached for comment, the Israeli military said it was “looking into” the reports. Due to Israeli restrictions on media coverage in Gaza and limited access to certain areas, AFP could not independently verify the death tolls and details provided by local authorities and rescuers.