LAST UPDATE | 3 hrs ago

AT LEAST 15 people have been killed by overnight Israeli strikes in Gaza, according to the Palestinian territory’s civil defence agency. 

Israel’s expanded operations in Gaza has created dire humanitarian conditions, killing thousands of people and displacing nearly all of the territory’s population of more than two million. 

Official Mohammad al-Mughayyir told AFP that seven people, including a child, were killed in an Israeli air strike on displaced people’s tents near the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis.

Mughayyir said eight more people were killed in two other strikes on tent encampments on the coast of Khan Younis, including one that killed two children early this morning. 

The Israeli military said it could not comment on specific attacks without precise coordinates, but noted it was “operating to dismantle Hamas military capabilities”.

On Thursday, the agency reported that 73 people were killed in Israeli strikes.

Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defence.

Palestinians children look at the destruction at a school used as a shelter after it was struck by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Thursday. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

It comes after US President Donald Trump said Israel had agreed to a 60-day ceasefire with Hamas that could lead to the release of hostages remaining in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to bring home all the remaining hostages, after coming under massive domestic pressure including from the hostages’ loved ones over their fate.

Hamas has confirmed that it is holding consultations with other Palestinian movements on a truce proposal in the war, in a possible sign that it was preparing for negotiations for a ceasefire. 

“The movement is conducting consultations with leaders of Palestinian forces and factions regarding the proposal received… from the mediators,” Hamas said in a statement today. 

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Two previous ceasefires mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States have seen a temporary halt in fighting, coupled with the return of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Out of 251 hostages seized by Hamas militants on 7 October 2023, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.

The attack on 7 October 2023 resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Israel’s retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 57,130 people in Gaza, according to the Palestinian territory’s health ministry whose figures the United Nations considers its figures reliable. The majority of those killed have been civilians. 

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