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By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Dawoud Abu Alkas
CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) – Israeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 70 people in the last day, Palestinian medics said on Saturday, as mediators launched a new ceasefire push to end the 15-month-old war.
At least 17 of the deceased were killed in airstrikes on two houses in Gaza City, the first of which destroyed the Al-Ghoula family home in the early hours of the morning, medics and residents said.
“Around 2 a.m. we were woken up by the sound of a huge explosion,” said Ahmed Ayyan, a neighbor, adding that there were 14 or 15 people in the house.
“Most of them are women and children, they are all civilians, there is no one who has fired rockets or is from the resistance,” Ayyan told Reuters.
People searched the rubble for survivors trapped under the rubble, and medics said several children were among those killed. Hours after the attack, sporadic flames and clouds of smoke rose from burning furniture in the ruins.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the incident.
Another attack on a house in Gaza City later on Saturday left five people dead, the Palestinian Civil Defense Service said, adding that at least 10 others were feared trapped under the rubble.
The Israeli military earlier said its forces continued operations this week in the town of Beit Hanoun on the northern edge of the enclave, where the army has been operating for three months, and destroyed a military complex that had been used by Hamas.
At least six more Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes in Jabalia in the north and near the central city of Deir Al-Balah, medics said.
Saturday’s deaths brought the toll since Friday to 70, Palestinian health officials said.
Another push for a ceasefire
Renewed efforts are underway to reach a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas and return Israeli hostages before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.
Israeli mediators were sent to restart talks in Doha brokered by Qatari and Egyptian mediators, and U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration, which is helping to broker the talks, called on Hamas on Friday to agree to a deal.
Hamas said it was committed to reaching an agreement as quickly as possible, but it was unclear how close the two sides were.
The armed group released a video on Saturday showing Israeli hostage Liri Albag – who local media said was a female soldier – calling on Israel to do more to ensure the hostages’ release. She said her life was in danger because of Israel’s military action in Gaza.
Albag’s family said the video “tore our hearts to pieces.”
“This is not the daughter and sister we know. Their severe psychological distress is evident,” said a family statement, urging the Israeli government and world leaders not to miss the opportunity to bring back all remaining hostages alive.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in response to the video that Israel continues to work tirelessly to bring the hostages home.
“Anyone who dares to harm our hostages bears full responsibility for their actions,” he said.
Israel launched its attack on Gaza in response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, in which militants stormed border communities from Gaza, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israel.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the military campaign with the stated goal of rooting out Hamas has leveled large swaths of the enclave, driving most people from their homes and killing 45,717 Palestinians.
