Israeli strikes across Gaza kill 40, including kids

FE Team | Published: January 03, 2025 22:42:53

WASHINGTON, Jan 3 (AP/AFP): Israeli airstrikes killed at least 40 people on Thursday across central and southern Gaza, including an attack on a sprawling tent camp that Israel has repeatedly bombed despite designating it a humanitarian safe zone. Israel said the strike targeted a righ-ranking police officer, and blames Hamas for civilian deaths.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Thursday he authorized a delegation from the country's intelligence services and military to continue negotiations in Qatar toward a ceasefire deal in Gaza. There was no immediate comment from Hamas.
American, Qatari and Egyptian mediators have spent nearly a year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release, but their efforts have repeatedly stalled.
The Israeli military also claimed responsibility Thursday for a commando raid in western Syria last September that destroyed what it said was an Iranian-led missile factory.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military says a missile fired from Yemen has set off air raid sirens in Jerusalem and central Israel.
The attack, at 4:30 a.m. Friday, woke millions of people and sent people scrambling to air raid shelters.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, though a faint explosion, likely either from the missile or from interceptors, could be heard in Jerusalem.
The military said interceptors were launched toward the target and the results are under review.
Yemen's Houthi rebels have been launching missiles and drones at Israel nearly every day in recent weeks.
Israel has carried out a number of long-range airstrikes in Yemen, some 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) away. But the strikes have failed to stop the attacks.
The Houthis have pledged to continue striking Israel until the war in Gaza ends.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorised Israeli negotiators to continue talks in Doha on a hostage release, his office said Thursday, after Israel and Hamas traded blame for their slow progress.
Indirect negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States have taken place in Doha in recent weeks, rekindling hope for a ceasefire and hostage release agreement that has so far proven elusive.
But late last month the two sides accused each other of throwing up roadblocks, again delaying a deal.