By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dawoud Abu Alkas
CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) – Israeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 70 people over the past day, Palestinian doctors said on Saturday, as mediators launched a new ceasefire initiative to end the conflict. a 15 month war.
At least 17 of those killed were killed in airstrikes on two homes in Gaza City, the first of which destroyed the Al-Ghoula family home in the early hours, doctors and residents said.
“Around 2 a.m. we were woken up by the sound of a big explosion,” said Ahmed Ayyan, a neighbor, adding that 14 or 15 people had stayed in the house.
“Most of them are women and children, they are all civilians, there is no one there who has fired missiles or is from the resistance,” Ayyan told Reuters.
People combed through the rubble looking for survivors trapped under the rubble and doctors said several children were among the dead. Hours after the attack, some flames and trails of smoke were still rising from the burned furniture in the ruins.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the incident.
Another attack on a house in Gaza City killed five people later on Saturday, the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said, adding that at least another 10 people were feared trapped under the rubble.
The Israeli military previously said its forces had continued operations this week in the town of Beit Hanoun in the far north of the enclave, where the army has been operating for three months, and destroyed a military compound that had been used by Hamas.
At least six other Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes in Jabalia in the north and near the central town of Deir Al-Balah, doctors said.
Saturday’s deaths brought the toll to 70 since Friday, Palestinian health officials said.
NEW CEASE-FIRE PUSH
A new effort is underway to reach a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas and return Israeli hostages before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.
Israeli mediators were sent to resume talks in Doha, mediated by Qatari and Egyptian mediators, and US President Joe Biden’s administration, which is helping mediate the talks, urged Hamas on Friday to reach 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 showing Israeli hostage Liri Albag – who local media said was a soldier – urging Israel to do more to secure the release of the hostages. He said their lives were in danger due to Israel’s military action in Gaza.
Albag’s family said the video had “broken our hearts.”
“This is not the daughter and sister we know. Her severe psychological suffering is evident,” a statement from the family said, calling on the Israeli government and world leaders not to miss the opportunity to bring all of them back alive. remaining hostages.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in response to the video that Israel was still 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 assault on Gaza in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, in which militants stormed Gaza border communities, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli counts.
Their military campaign, with the stated goal of eradicating Hamas, has devastated large areas of the enclave, driving most people from their homes and killing 45,717 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.