An Israeli airstrike killed least 68 Palestininans in central Gaza, Health officials have said, while the number of Israeli soldiers who died in combat over the weekend rose to 17.
Associated Press journalists at a nearby hospital watched frantic Palestinians carrying the dead, including a baby and wounded following the strike on the Maghazi refugee camp east of Deir al-Balah.
One bloodied young girl looked stunned while her body was checked for broken bones.
The 68 fatalities include at least 12 women and seven children, according to early hospital figures.
“We were all targeted,” said Ahmad Turkomani, who lost several family members including his daughter and grandson. “There is no safe place in Gaza anyway.”
Earlier, the Health Ministry in Gaza gave the death toll as 70. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.
The war has devastated parts of Gaza, killing roughly 20,400 Palestinians and displacing almost all of the territory’s 2.3 million people.
The mounting death toll among Israeli troops — 156 since the ground offensive began — could erode public support for the war.
Israelis still largely stand behind the country’s stated goals of crushing Hamas’ governing and military capabilities and releasing the remaining 129 captives.
That was despite rising international pressure against Israel’s offensive, the soaring death toll and unprecedented suffering among Palestinians.
HAMAS EXACTS A PRICE
“The war exacts a very heavy price from us, but we have no choice but to continue fighting,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
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In a nationally televised speech, Israeli President, Isaac Herzog, appealed for the country to remain united.
“This moment is a test. We will not break nor blink,” he said.
There has been widespread anger against his government, which many criticised for failing to protect civilians on Oct. 7 and promoting policies that allowed Hamas to gain strength over the years.
Netanyahu has avoided accepting responsibility for the military and policy failures.
“Over time, the public will find it hard to ignore the heavy price paid, as well as the suspicion that the aims that were loudly heralded are still far from being attained.
“And that Hamas is showing no signs of capitulating in the near future,” wrote Amos Harel, military affairs commentator for the Haaretz newspaper.
The Israeli military said it had completed the dismantling of Hamas’ underground headquarters in northern Gaza.
This was part of an operation to take down the vast tunnel network and kill off top commanders that Israeli leaders have said could take months.
Efforts toward negotiations continued. The head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, arrived in Egypt for talks.
The militant group, which also took part in the Oct. 7 attack, said it was prepared to consider releasing hostages only after fighting ends.
Hamas’ top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, travelled to Cairo for talks days earlier. (AP News)
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