Israel pummelled southern Gaza on Jan 16, killing dozens, even as the authorities announced the winding down of the intense phase of the war that has inflamed tensions across the Middle East.
The government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under mounting international pressure to end its offensive in Gaza launched in response to Hamas' unprecedented attacks on Oct 7.
But fears are mounting that the war could be widening, with Iran and its proxies stepping up attacks across the region in solidarity with Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the Palestinian territory.
The latest wave of Israeli strikes killed at least 78 people in the Gaza Strip, Hamas' press office said. An AFP journalist said the southern city of Khan Younis was hit hard.
A barrage of 50 rockets was fired later towards Netivot in southern Israel, without causing any casualties, the army said. The attack was claimed by Hamas' armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades.
Live footage from AFPTV showed trails of smoke and explosions ringing out as Israel's air defences intercepted rockets near the Gaza border.
Fighting has ravaged Gaza since Oct 7, when Hamas militants carried out an unparalleled attack on Israel that resulted in about 1,140 deaths, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Militants also seized about 250 hostages and dragged them back to Gaza, 132 of whom Israel says are still in the coastal territory, including at least 25 believed to have been killed.
At least 24,285 Palestinians, around 70 per cent of them women, young children and adolescents, have been killed in Gaza in Israeli bombardments and ground operations since Oct 7, according to the Hamas government's health ministry.
Denne historien er fra January 17, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra January 17, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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VERDY'S APPROACH AN EYE-OPENER
Former Lions turned coaches Alam Shah and Isa inspired by stint with Japanese club
Lions' morale-boosting win comes at a price
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SABALENKA TO STICK TO HER BRAVE PLAN
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