New Israeli Strikes in Central Gaza Kill at Least 21, Including 5 Children

A Palestinian boy inspects the rubble of the destroyed Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque following an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, 06 October 2024. (EPA)
A Palestinian boy inspects the rubble of the destroyed Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque following an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, 06 October 2024. (EPA)
TT

New Israeli Strikes in Central Gaza Kill at Least 21, Including 5 Children

A Palestinian boy inspects the rubble of the destroyed Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque following an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, 06 October 2024. (EPA)
A Palestinian boy inspects the rubble of the destroyed Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque following an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, 06 October 2024. (EPA)

At least 21 people, including five children and two women, were killed in strikes in central Gaza on Monday night, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital, where the bodies were taken.

The strikes took place on the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel that triggered the war between Israel and Hamas.

Two strikes hit houses in the Bureij refugee camp. An Associated Press journalist counted the bodies along with about a dozen wounded, including several children.

Emergency responders said more people are thought to be under the rubble.

The Palestinian death toll in the war in Gaza is nearing 42,000, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn't differentiate between civilians and fighters.



Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
TT

Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)

Hamas and two other Palestinian militant groups said on Saturday that a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel is "closer than ever", provided Israel does not impose new conditions.

"The possibility of reaching an agreement (for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal) is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions," Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a rare joint statement issued after talks in Cairo on Friday.

Last week, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States were held in Doha, rekindling hope of an agreement.

A Hamas leader told AFP on Saturday that talks had made "significant and important progress" in recent days.

"Most points related to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange issues have been agreed upon," he said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue.

"Some unresolved points remain, but they do not hinder the process. The agreement could be finalized before the end of this year, provided it is not disrupted by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's new conditions."