Israel strikes besieged Gaza as pressure grows for ceasefire

Israel’s offensive, including over two months of sustained aerial attacks and a ground invasion, has killed 18,800 people

Israel kept up deadly strikes on the besieged Gaza Strip on Sunday despite growing international calls for a ceasefire and pleas from desperate relatives to bring home the remaining hostages.

The bloodiest ever Gaza war started with the Hamas attacks of October 7 and has devastated much of the Palestinian territory, sparking global concern.

The health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said 24 Palestinians were killed by Israeli bombardment in Jabalia camp in the north, with many still "missing under the rubble".

It said at least 12 died in strikes on the central city of Deir al-Balah, while witnesses reported bombardment of Bani Suhaila east of Khan Yunis, Gaza's second city, in the south.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again vowed "we will fight until the end. We will achieve all of our aims eliminating Hamas, freeing all our hostages and ensuring that Gaza will not again become a centre for terrorism".