February 15, 2025

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Gaza death toll rises after Israeli airstrikes – talks at deadlock


Israel has carried out new airstrikes on dozens of targets in Gaza over the past 24 hours. As a result attacksAccording to Palestinian authorities, at least 100 people were killed.

The escalating operations and rising death toll come as another attempt to reach a ceasefire before Donald Trump takes office as US president this month. Israeli mediators have been in Doha since yesterday to resume negotiations involving Qatar and Egypt.

Gaza's health ministry said 27 people were killed this morning after 71 were killed yesterday in areas such as al-Mawasi, in the central enclave, which has been declared a safe humanitarian zone by Israeli authorities.

The Israeli army said it hit about 40 Hamas sites and command and control centers. She noted that she had taken many measures to reduce the risk of civilians being hit, such as the use of precision-guided munitions, aerial surveillance and other reconnaissance systems. It is also stated that Hamas is placing militants in areas with civilians, including in buildings that were previously used as schools. Hamas denies accusations that it is deliberately using civilians as shields for its fighters.

The army today called on civilians in the al-Bureij area of ​​central Gaza to leave their homes ahead of the operation, which was launched following rocket attacks from the area. It was also stated that residents should move to the humanitarian zone for their safety.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar have tried unsuccessfully for a year to broker a ceasefire and hostage release, and are making another attempt this month ahead of Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration.

Attempts to reach a ceasefire continually face fundamental disagreement about how to end the conflict. Hamas says it will agree to the agreement and release the hostages only if Israel commits to ending the war. Israel says it will agree to end the conflict only after Hamas is destroyed.

The Israeli army has entered almost every part of Gaza but continues to battle Hamas fighters who are waging a guerrilla war in the ruins of the coastal enclave. In the fall, the Israeli army began shelling northern Gaza again, where residents have been repeatedly urged to leave their homes, while strikes continue in the south.

Daily casualty reports published in late December by the Gaza Ministry of Health reported 48 deaths on December 28, 58 on December 22, and 77 on December 20. The death toll increased by 1,124 in December, up from 1,170 in November and 1,621 in October, according to ministry data.

The Israeli army said yesterday's strikes targeted Hamas fighters in the town of Khan Yunis, in the southern part of the enclave, and in the Al-Mawasi displaced persons camp, which has been declared a humanitarian zone.

Asked about the number of people reported killed yesterday, the Israeli army said it was complying with international law in the Gaza war and had taken “possible preventive measures to limit attacks on civilians.”

Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕReuters



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