By Nidal al-Mughrabi
CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli strikes killed 77 Palestinians in Gaza previously 24 hours, well being authorities stated on Sunday, as Egypt hosted an Israeli delegation for a brand new spherical of talks in a bid to safe a truce with Gaza’s Hamas rulers.
The Israeli army stated it killed a senior Islamic Jihad militant in a strike on a command centre within the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza. It didn’t point out his title or rank.
“The command centre and terrorists have been struck exactly, the army stated, including it was meant to minimise “hurt to uninvolved civilians within the space of the hospital”. “The Al-Aqsa Hospital constructing was not broken and its functioning was not affected.”
There was no instant remark from Islamic Jihad, a militant group and ally of Hamas.
Palestinian well being officers and Hamas media stated the strike hit a number of tents contained in the Al-Aqsa Hospital, killing 4 folks and wounding a number of, together with 5 journalists.
Greater than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s army offensive in Gaza since Oct. 7, in keeping with the well being authorities.
The warfare erupted after Hamas militants broke by the border and rampaged by communities in southern Israel, killing 1,200 folks and abducting 253 hostages, in keeping with Israeli tallies.
The 2 sides have stepped up negotiations, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, on a six-week suspension of Israel’s offensive in return for the proposed launch of 40 of 130 hostages nonetheless held by Hamas militants in Gaza after their Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel.
Hamas says any deal should safe an finish to the combating and withdrawal of Israeli forces. Israel has dominated this out, saying it could ultimately resume efforts to dismantle the governing and army capabilities of Hamas.
Hamas wouldn’t be current on the talks in Cairo, an official instructed Reuters on Sunday, because it waited to listen to from mediators on whether or not a brand new Israeli supply was on the desk.
Within the southern Gaza Strip metropolis of Khan Younis, Israeli forces continued to blockade the 2 most important hospitals, and tanks shelled areas within the center and japanese areas of the territory.
Palestinian well being officers stated an Israeli air strike killed 9 folks in Bani Suhaila close to Khan Younis, whereas one other air strike killed 4 folks in Al-Maghazi camp within the central Gaza Strip.
In Gaza Metropolis, Israeli forces continued to function inside Al Shifa Hospital, the territory’s largest, the well being ministry stated. Residents residing close by stated residential districts had been destroyed by Israeli forces close to Al Shifa.
“I went out seeking to purchase some medication from a pharmacy and what I noticed was heart-breaking. Full streets with buildings that used to face there had been destroyed,” stated Abu Mustafa, 49.
“… This isn’t warfare, that is genocide,” he instructed Reuters over the telephone from Gaza Metropolis.
Like the remainder of the two.3 million inhabitants of Gaza, Abu Mustafa, a father of six, is struggling to offer his household with meals within the north of the enclave, the place the United Nations warned famine was imminent.
“We have had sufficient, we sleep and get up dreaming of a ceasefire that can finish the warfare and protect the lives of whoever stays in Gaza,” he stated, refusing to provide a reputation fearing Israeli reprisals.
At Gaza Metropolis’s The Holy Household Church some Christian Palestinians took half in a sombre Easter service.
“My want is that they depart us alone and that we return to our lands and youngsters,” stated Winnie Tarazzi, a Gaza lady praying on the church.
Gaza’s inhabitants includes an estimated 1,000 Christians, most of whom are Greek Orthodox.
The Israeli army (IAF) stated forces working in Al Shifa killed gunmen barricading the realm and had discovered weapons.
“A number of compounds used to launch anti-tank missiles and the place snipers operated have been struck by IAF plane” within the Rimal neighbourhood close to Shifa, the army stated.
It added that forces killed 15 gunmen within the central Gaza Strip and a number of other in Khan Younis, together with close to Al-Amal hospital.
Israel stated it killed and detained a whole lot of Hamas and Islamic Jihad gunmen at Al Shifa throughout a raid. Hamas and medical workers deny any armed presence inside medical amenities, accusing Israel of killing and arresting civilians.
Within the peace talks, Hamas additionally needs a whole lot of 1000’s of Palestinians who have been displaced from Gaza Metropolis and surrounding areas southward through the first stage of the warfare to be allowed again north.
The World Court docket on Thursday unanimously ordered Israel, accused by South Africa of genocide in Gaza, to take all needed and efficient motion to make sure fundamental meals provides to the inhabitants.
(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi.Further reporting by Ari Rabinovtich in Jerusalem. Modifying by Nick Macfie and Louise Heavens)
