Israeli strikes have killed at least 77 Palestinians in Gaza since Sunday morning, medical officials announced. At the same time, Egypt hosted an Isr
Israeli strikes have killed at least 77 Palestinians in Gaza since Sunday morning, medical officials announced. At the same time, Egypt hosted an Israeli delegation for new talks to negotiate a cease-fire with Hamas leaders in Gaza.
Israeli forces claimed they had killed an Islamic Jihad fighter during an attack on Al-Aqsa Hospital’s back courtyard, though their statement did not identify or rank him.
“According to military claims, both terrorists and their command center were specifically targeted in order to minimize harm to civilians outside of hospitals.”
“The Al-Aqsa Hospital building remained undamaged, and its functioning was unaffected by any damage sustained during its closure.
Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas, did not comment on this matter.
Palestinian health officials, as well as Hamas media, reported that an attack struck multiple tents at Al-Aqsa Hospital, killing four individuals and injuring numerous others, including five journalists.
Health officials estimate that more than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched their military operation against Gaza on October 7. Health officials claim the vast majority of the victims were civilians; Israel estimates only one-third are fighters.
War was ignited after Hamas militants invaded and devastated south Israel, killing an estimated 1,200 civilians while abducting hostages numbering 253, according to Israeli statistics.
Both parties have intensified discussions, which Qatar and Egypt are mediating, to extend the suspension of Israel’s offensive by six weeks in exchange for the release of 40 hostages held captive by Hamas militants since their attack on October 7, 2015.
Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday his determination to maintain military pressure against Hamas while at the same time showing willingness for negotiations, believing this combination will allow the end of hostages.
Hamas has expressed a desire for any agreement that brings an end to the conflict and withdrawal from Israeli forces. Still, Israel refuses to accept this proposal and says it will shortly resume efforts against Hamas as it strives for their destruction.
Hamas will not hold discussions in Cairo, according to an official who spoke with Reuters on Sunday while waiting to hear from mediators about whether or not a new Israeli offer is being considered.
The Gaza conflict has spurred long-running violence in the occupied West Bank and led to cross-border battles against Lebanon’s Hezbollah group as well as missile attacks from Iranian-backed militias from Yemen and Iraq against Israel.
As tensions in Israel mount, emergency services reported that one of Israel’s Arab minorities assaulted three soldiers at an intersection in Beersheba on Sunday; one was fatally wounded. Within hours, an unidentified knife-wielding Palestinian was shot dead by police after injuring three people inside the nearby shopping mall Gan Yavne, according to Israeli media reports.
Israeli forces continued their blockade of two major hospitals located within Khan Younis in the south Gaza Strip city while tanks bombarded the eastern and middle regions of Gaza territory.
Palestinian health officials reported hearing of Israeli strikes that killed nine Palestinians near Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. In contrast, further strikes killed four within the Al-Maghazi camp in its center.
Israeli forces claim they have shot dead fifteen gunmen operating in the central Gaza Strip and several more near Al-Amal hospital, all within Khan Younis.
Israeli forces continued their operations at Al Shifa Hospital, the largest facility in Gaza City, according to its health ministry announcement. Residents reported being struck by Israeli forces while near Al Shifa Hospital, leading them to destroy neighborhoods of residential homes near Al Shifa Hospital.
“What I saw at the pharmacy was heartbreaking; entire streets with buildings once standing there had been destroyed,” reported Abu Mustafa, 49.
“This is genocide,” stated one man to Reuters over the telephone in Gaza City.
Israel insists it is making every effort to avoid civilian harm while fighting soldiers on an urban battlefield – over 260 of their soldiers have perished fighting this battle for Gaza, according to military records.
Netanyahu reported that more than 200 gunmen had been shot dead in Al Shifa hospital, and several hundred more had surrendered.
“No hospital anywhere has an appearance like this; this is what terrorists’ homes look like,” Netanyahu stated at a press conference held in Jerusalem.
Hamas maintains that there was no army presence at the hospital and has maintained that those injured are civilians.
The Israeli military claimed that weapons had been found at Shifa Hospital as well as several compounds near the Rimal neighborhood used for anti-tank missile launches and where snipers operated were struck down by Israeli Air Force (IAF) aircraft in Rimal. IAF stands for Israeli Air Force.
Christian Palestinians from Gaza City’s Holy Family Church reportedly took part in an Easter service and celebration, marking yet another tragic holiday season.
Winnie Tarazzi of Gaza, who was praying in a church, explained her wish: that those responsible should leave them alone so we can return home with our families and children.
Estimates suggest Gaza has approximately 1,000 Christians; most are Greek Orthodox.
Hamas wants hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who were forced to leave Gaza City and its environs during the initial stages of conflict to return north to end the truce.
On Thursday, the World Court unanimously ordered Israel, which has been accused by South Africa of genocide in Gaza and the Gaza Strip, to take any necessary and practical steps for the food security of their people.
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