By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dawud Abu Alqas
CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) – Israeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 70 people in the past day, Palestinian doctors said on Saturday, as mediators launched a new ceasefire to end the 15-month-old war. is
At least 17 of the dead were killed in airstrikes on two homes in Gaza City, the first of which destroyed the al-Ghoula family home in the early hours of the morning, doctors and residents said.
“Around 2 a.m. we woke up to the sound of a loud explosion,” said Ahmed Ayan, a neighbor who said 14 or 15 people were living in the house.
“Most of them are women and children, they are all civilians, there is no one who has fired missiles, or is not from the opposition,” Ayan told Reuters.
People rescued anyone buried under the debris, and doctors said many children were among the dead. A few hours after the attack, some flames and smoke billowed from the burning furniture in the ruins.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the incident.
Another attack on a house in Gaza City later on Saturday killed five people, and at least 10 others were feared trapped under the rubble, the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said.
The Israeli army said earlier this week its forces continued their operation in the town of Beit Hanoun on the northern edge of the enclave, where the army has been operating for three months, and destroyed a military complex that was used by was carried out by Hamas.
At least six more Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes in Jabalia in the north and near the central city of Deir al-Balah, medics said.
Palestinian health officials said Saturday’s deaths brought to 70 since Friday.
The ceasefire push was renewed
There is a renewed push to reach a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas and to return Israeli hostages before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.
Israeli mediators brokered by Qatari and Egyptian mediators were sent to resume talks in Doha, and US President Joe Biden’s administration, which is helping broker the talks, urged Hamas on Friday to agree to a deal. .
Hamas said it was committed to reaching an agreement as soon as possible, but it was unclear how close the two sides were.
The armed group released a video on Saturday in which Israeli hostage Leary Albagh – who local media said was a soldier – urges Israel to do more to secure the release of the hostages. He said their lives were at risk because of Israel’s military operation in Gaza.
Albagh’s family said the video had “broken our hearts”.
“This is not the daughter and sister we know. Her severe psychological distress is evident,” a family statement said, urging Israel’s government and world leaders not to miss the opportunity to bring back all the remaining hostages alive. has been asked for
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the video, saying Israel was working tirelessly to bring the hostages home.
“Anyone who dares to harm our hostages will take full responsibility for their actions,” he said.
Israel launched its offensive on Gaza on October 7, 2023, in response to a Hamas offensive in which militants attacked border communities from Gaza, killing nearly 1,200 people and taking nearly 250 hostages, Israeli According to the count.
With the stated goal of eliminating Hamas, its military campaign has leveled large parts of the enclave, driven most people from their homes, and killed 45,717 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
