GAZA: Israeli shelling near southern Gaza hospital has killed 41 people over past two days, Palestinian Red Crescent said, after Israel stepped up its attacks in centre and south of besieged territory.

Israel’s relentless aerial bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza have killed at least 21,320 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza Health Ministry.

UN humanitarian office said that an estimated 100,000 more displaced people had arrived in already-teeming southern border city of Rafah in recent days following intensification of fighting around Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis.

“Among casualties are individuals present in front of hospital and displaced persons seeking shelter at Red Crescent premises,” group said in statement.

Later in day, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Israeli shelling had killed 20 people, most of them women and children at Shaboura camp in Rafah, on southern border with Egypt.

More than 80 percent of Gaza’s 2.4 million people have been driven from their homes, UN says and many now live in cramped shelters or makeshift tents in far south around Rafah.

Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo to give its “Observations” about an Egyptian plan for ceasefire recently put to officials from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which is also battling Israeli forces in Gaza.

A Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP that delegation would “Give response of Palestinian factions, including several observations” regarding details of exchanges and “Guarantees for complete Israeli military withdrawal”.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 30 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.