By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dawoud Abu Alkas
CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) -Israeli army strikes within the Gaza Strip have killed at the very least 70 individuals over the past day, Palestinian medics stated on Saturday, as mediators launched a brand new ceasefire push to finish the 15-month-old struggle.
At the very 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 had been woken up by the sound of an enormous explosion,” stated Ahmed Ayyan, a neighbour, including that 14 or 15 individuals had been staying in the home.
“Most of them are ladies and kids, they’re all civilians, there is no such thing as a one there who shot missiles, or is from the resistance,” Ayyan informed Reuters.
Individuals scoured the rubble for any survivors trapped beneath 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.
There was no speedy remark from the Israeli army on the incident.
One other strike on a home in Gaza Metropolis killed 5 individuals afterward Saturday, the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service stated, including that at the very least 10 others had been feared trapped beneath 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 complicated that had been utilized by Hamas.
At the very 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 beneath strategy 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 comply with a deal.
Hamas stated it was dedicated to reaching an settlement as quickly as potential, nevertheless it was unclear how shut the 2 sides had been.
The armed group launched a video on Saturday exhibiting 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 items”.
“This isn’t the daughter and sister we all know. Her extreme psychological misery is clear,” a household assertion stated, calling on Israel’s authorities and world leaders to not miss the chance to convey all remaining hostages again alive.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in response to the video that Israel continued to work tirelessly to convey the hostages dwelling.
“Anybody who dares to hurt our hostages will bear full accountability for his or her actions,” he stated.
Israel launched its assault on Gaza in response to the Hamas assault on Oct. 7, 2023, by which militants stormed border communities from Gaza, killing about 1,200 individuals and seizing round 250 hostages, in accordance with Israeli tallies.
Its army marketing campaign, with the acknowledged objective of eradicating Hamas, has leveled swathes of the enclave, driving most individuals from their houses, and has killed 45,717 Palestinians, in accordance with the Gaza well being ministry.
