Cliff Notes – At least 100 people killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza ‘complete families wiped out’ says health ministry
- At least 100 individuals, including women and children, have died in recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza as part of an escalating military campaign against Hamas.
- Local health authorities report severe casualties, with entire families being erased from civil registration records due to the bombardments in various regions, including Khan Younis and Jabalia.
- Concurrently, discussions for a potential ceasefire are ongoing in Qatar, but the situation remains critical as Israel continues to block essential supplies from entering Gaza.
At least 100 people killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza – ‘complete families wiped out’ says health ministry
At least 100 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza overnight and into Sunday, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Local medics also report that women and children were among the dead – as Israel launched an escalation of its war in Gaza to ramp up pressure on Hamas.
“Complete families were wiped off the civil registration record by Israeli bombardment,” Khalil Al-Deqran, Gaza health ministry spokesperson, told the Reuters news agency.
Nasser hospital, in the southern city of Khan Younis, said it received the bodies of 20 people killed in strikes that hit houses and tents in the Muwasi area. Hamas described that as a “new brutal crime”.
In central Gaza, at least 10 people were killed in two separate strikes, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in the town of Deir al Balah.
Meanwhile, first responders from the health ministry and the civil defence reported at least 36 people were killed in multiple strikes in Jabalia, northern Gaza.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the latest strikes.
Israel has blocked the entry of medical, food and fuel supplies into Gaza since the start of March. It is attempting to pressure Hamas into freeing Israeli hostages and has approved plans that could involve seizing the whole of Gaza and controlling aid.
It comes as peace talks between Israel and Hamas take place in Qatar this weekend, although sources told Reuters there had been no breakthrough.
Sky News Arabia reported that Hamas had proposed freeing about half its Israeli hostages in exchange for a two-month ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
A Palestinian official close to the talks said: “Hamas is flexible about the number of hostages it can free, but the problem has always been over Israel’s commitment to end the war.”
Sources
Amid Cease-Fire Talks, Israel Says It Has Expanded Ground Operations in Gaza – The New York Times
Gazans report 17 killed across Strip in last hours – The Times of Israel
Israel holds ceasefire talks with Hamas, as new ground operation in Gaza begins – NPR
Israeli ground operations underway in Gaza, some food to be allowed in – The Washington Post