At least 30 people, including women and children, were tragically killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes overnight and into Friday morning. The strikes hit various locations in Central Gaza, resulting in a total of 56 casualties in the past 24 hours. The Israeli army, while not commenting immediately on the latest strikes, maintains that it targets militants and holds Hamas responsible for civilian deaths.
Among the casualties were women, children, and a freelance journalist, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict. Concurrently, Israel faced missile attacks from Yemen, triggering air raid sirens in Jerusalem and central Israel. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, with Israel's army successfully intercepting a missile.
Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire are set to resume, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorizing a delegation to continue talks in Qatar. The U.S.-led negotiations have faced numerous setbacks during the 15-month-long conflict, which began with a Hamas-led attack into Israel in October 2023.
The ongoing war has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction, with over 45,500 Palestinians killed in Gaza, according to the territory's Health Ministry. The conflict has displaced approximately 90% of Gaza's population, with many individuals forced to flee multiple times.
The situation remains dire as both sides grapple with the devastating consequences of the prolonged conflict. The international community continues to call for an end to the violence and a lasting resolution to the crisis.
For more updates on the Israel-Hamas conflict, visit AP coverage.
