By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dawoud Abu Alkas
CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) -Israeli army strikes within the Gaza Strip have killed no less than 70 individuals during the last day, Palestinian medics stated on Saturday, as mediators launched a brand new ceasefire push to finish the 15-month-old struggle.
At the least 17 of those that died had been killed in airstrikes on two homes in Gaza Metropolis, the primary of which destroyed the house of the Al-Ghoula household within the early hours, medics and residents stated.
“At about 2 a.m. we were woken up by the sound of a huge explosion,” stated Ahmed Ayyan, a neighbour, including that 14 or 15 individuals had been staying in the home.
“Most of them are women and children, they are all civilians, there is no one there who shot missiles, or is from the resistance,” Ayyan informed Reuters.
Individuals scoured the rubble for any survivors trapped underneath the particles and medics stated a number of kids had been amongst these killed. A number of flames and trails of smoke nonetheless rose from burning furnishings within the ruins hours after the assault.
The Israeli army stated all these “targeted in the strike were involved in terrorist activities, which included exploiting humanitarian aid corridors” and that the strike was carried out at a distance from “aid trucks and did not affect the continued entrance of humanitarian aid.”
Earlier on Saturday the army stated a projectile fired from Gaza fell within the space of the Erez Crossing which “caused damage both to the area of the crossing and adjacent to the humanitarian truck compound.”
One other strike on a home in Gaza Metropolis killed 5 individuals afterward Saturday, the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service stated, including that no less than 10 others had been feared trapped underneath the rubble.
The Israeli army stated earlier its forces had continued their operations this week in Beit Hanoun city within the northern fringe of the enclave, the place the military has been working for 3 months, and has destroyed a army advanced that had been utilized by Hamas.
At the least six different Palestinians had been killed in Israeli strikes in Jabalia within the north and close to the central city of Deir Al-Balah, medics stated.
Saturday’s deaths introduced the toll to 70 since Friday, Palestinian well being officers stated.
RENEWED CEASEFIRE PUSH
A renewed push is underneath approach to attain a ceasefire within the struggle between Israel and Hamas and return Israeli hostages earlier than U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes workplace on Jan. 20.
Israeli mediators had been dispatched to renew talks in Doha brokered by Qatari and Egyptian mediators, and U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration, which helps dealer the talks, urged Hamas on Friday to conform to a deal.
Hamas stated it was dedicated to reaching an settlement as quickly as doable, however it was unclear how shut the 2 sides had been.
The armed group launched a video on Saturday displaying Israeli hostage Liri Albag – who native media stated was a soldier – urging Israel to do extra to safe the hostages’ launch. She stated their lives had been in peril due to Israel’s army motion in Gaza.
Albag’s household stated the video had “torn our hearts to pieces”.
“This is not the daughter and sister we know. Her severe psychological distress is evident,” a household assertion stated, calling on Israel’s authorities and world leaders to not miss the chance to carry all remaining hostages again alive.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in response to the video that Israel continued to work tirelessly to carry the hostages residence.
“Anyone who dares to harm our hostages will bear full responsibility for their actions,” he stated.
Israel launched its assault on Gaza in response to the Hamas assault on Oct. 7, 2023, through which militants stormed border communities from Gaza, killing about 1,200 individuals and seizing round 250 hostages, in response to Israeli tallies.
Its army marketing campaign, with the acknowledged aim of eradicating Hamas, has leveled swathes of the enclave, driving most individuals from their houses, and has killed 45,717 Palestinians, in response to the Gaza well being ministry.
