Israeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip have resulted in the death of 15 people, reports "Reuters". Some of the victims died in a school that housed displaced people, including the former spokesman for "Hamas" Fauzi Barhum and his two sons, reports News.bg.
Strikes on schools and residential areas
Health officials in Gaza said eight Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded in an Israeli strike that hit al-Tabien school in Gaza City. This school was used as a shelter for displaced families. In the suburb of Shejaya, also in Gaza, another Israeli airstrike killed four people, and another three were killed in an attack in Beit Lahiya, on the northern edge of the enclave.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza
Israeli military operations in Gaza have been ongoing since last month, part of a 13-month campaign that has left almost 44,200 dead and displaced almost the enclave's entire population at least once. Months of ceasefire talks have not produced significant progress, and Qatari-led mediation efforts have been suspended until the parties are ready to make concessions.
Diplomatic efforts and a new ceasefire
At the same time, the ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed group "Hezbollah" entered into force today following an agreement brokered by the US and France. It is considered a rare victory for diplomacy in a region that has been rocked by two wars in the past year.
US President Joe Biden said yesterday that his administration continues to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, stressing that there is an opportunity for normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.