AT least 38 Palestinians have been killed since Tuesday as Israeli attacks across Gaza continue despite growing hope for a ceasefire, according to health authorities.
Civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said the attacks are primarily concentrated on the cities of Deir el-Balah, Gaza City and Khan Younis.
Ten people, including a one-year-old child, were among those killed when the home of the Abed family in the al-Manara area of Khan Younis was hit by an attack, according to Basal.
A separate attack also hit a tent filled with displaced Palestinians, killing three people in Deir el-Balah.
It comes amid growing hope of a ceasefire with Hamas having already accepted a draft agreement which includes the release of dozens of hostages.
An Israeli official said however that “we are close” but “we are not there yet”.
It is hoped that a ceasefire could bring some respite to the Gaza Strip, where nearly 90% of the population of 2.3 million have been displaced and more than 46,000 killed in Israel’s bombardment.
Nearly 100 Israeli hostages are still being held captive in Gaza, with the military believing that at least a third of those are dead.
The UK's Foreign Secretary David Lammy (above) meanwhile has confirmed a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is "on the brink" of agreement.
He said a deal to enable the “rebuilding of Gaza with Israel safe and secure” will allow the region to “move forward in an atmosphere of peace”, as MPs raised concerns on the safety of hostages held by Hamas.
The United States, Egypt and Qatar have spent the past year trying to mediate an end to the 15-month war in the region and secure the release of dozens of hostages captured in Hamas’s attack on October 7 2023.
Qatar, a key mediator in the talks, said Israel and Hamas are at the “closest point” yet to an agreement.
