Tue Jul 22 13:38:26 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed at least 20 Palestinians, further escalating the 21-month conflict. The strikes, which targeted both a refugee camp and crowds awaiting aid, come as ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas remain stalled. The expansion of Israel’s ground invasion, particularly into areas previously spared, is a key sticking point in negotiations. The Trump administration has expressed growing impatience with the conflict, particularly after a recent Israeli strike on a Catholic church in Gaza. Church leaders are calling for an end to the war and increased humanitarian aid, describing the devastation and starvation they witnessed during a recent visit. The UN reports over 1,000 deaths related to aid distribution in Gaza since Israel redesigned the system, accusing Israel of the killings, while Israel blames Hamas for civilian casualties due to their operations in densely populated areas.

**News Article:**

**Gaza Death Toll Climbs as Israeli Strikes Intensify; Ceasefire Talks Stall**

*Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip -* At least 20 Palestinians have been killed in a fresh wave of Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian health officials. The attacks, which occurred on Tuesday, targeted the Shati refugee camp and areas near Gaza City where civilians were awaiting aid. The escalation comes as ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas remain deadlocked after weeks of talks.

The ongoing conflict, now in its 21st month, has seen a renewed expansion of Israeli ground operations, even into areas like Deir al-Balah which had previously been relatively unscathed. Residents reported heavy explosions and tank shelling overnight, forcing many to flee.

One strike on the Shati refugee camp reportedly killed at least 12 people, including women and children, according to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Another strike targeted crowds awaiting aid, resulting in at least 8 fatalities and over 100 injuries, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the Gaza City strike, but said that they had no record of an Israeli strike on the Shati refugee camp. Israel typically blames Hamas for civilian casualties, accusing the group of operating within densely populated areas and refusing to disarm as a condition for a ceasefire.

The Trump administration is reportedly growing impatient with the protracted conflict. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed that President Trump was “caught off guard” by a recent Israeli strike on a Catholic church in Gaza. Top Christian clergy who visited the church, made an urgent plea for an end to the war.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, condemned the ongoing violence, stating, “It is time to end this nonsense, end the war.” He and other religious leaders who recently visited Gaza described witnessing widespread destruction, starvation, and a desperate need for humanitarian aid.

The UN reported Tuesday that over 1,000 people have died seeking aid in Gaza since Israel redesigned the distribution system, accusing Israel of being responsible for the killings, though the accusation has been mostly denied by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a group backed by both the United States and Israel. Israel has significantly restricted access to Gaza, hindering the delivery of crucial aid.

More than 59,000 Palestinians have been killed during the 21-month war, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

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