Israeli strikes on Gaza kill 56 people in 24 hours

Israeli air strikes have killed 56 people in 24 hours in the Gaza Strip, including several children as well as Hamas security officers, while also targeting an area Israel had declared a humanitarian zone.

As the bombardments continued on Thursday and Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu’s office stated that it had authorised a delegation from Mossad, Shin Bet – Israel’s domestic intelligence service – and the military to continue negotiations in Qatar with a view to a ceasefire agreement.

The Israeli media announced that this delegation would leave on Friday, and Hamas made no comment. The talks, led by the United States, have been blocked several times during the fifteen-month-long war.

Human toll in Gaza

Out of the 56 killed by Israeli strikes, the first 10 died early on Thursday and included two Hamas police officers and three children.

The Israeli army said it had targeted a senior police officer, claiming he was involved in gathering intelligence used by the armed wing of Hamas in attacks on Israeli forces.

Another Israeli strike killed at least eight men in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza. The men were members of local committees that help secure aid convoys, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which received the bodies.

In southern Gaza, soldiers killed five policemen east of Khan Younis. Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said the strike targeted the head of Hamas’s internal security force in southern Gaza.

Three Palestinians were also killed in an Israeli strike that hit a group of people walking on the street in Maghazi in central Gaza. Their bodies were taken to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

On Thursday and Friday, Israeli strikes in central Gaza, including Maghazi and the Nuseirat refugee camp, killed at least 24 people, including children, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

The Israeli army did not immediately comment on the latest strikes, but insists it is only targeting militants and blames Hamas for the deaths of civilians.

Houthi missiles and drones launched towards Israel

The Israeli army said early on Friday that it had intercepted a missile originating in Yemen, from where Houthi rebels have launched several attacks on Israel in recent weeks.

“A missile was identified as coming from Yemen and entering Israeli territory, and interceptors were launched at the target,” the Israeli army said in a statement.

The attack, which took place at 4:30am, woke up millions of people with many rushing to air raid shelters. No reports of damage or casualties have been reported.

The Houthis have promised to strike Israel until the end of the war in Gaza.