Israel continues its relentless fires of Gaza for three weeks, with daily work and strikes, after a fragile ceasefire broke three weeks ago.
At least 32 Palestinians were killed across the enclave on Sunday. Most of them are women and children.
The war has so far claimed the lives of more than 50,500 Palestinians since the war began, according to Hamasran Health Authority in Gaza. Their figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatant casualties.
A UN report released on April 2 says that more than 1,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the collapse of the ceasefire on March 18. Over 100,000 people have evacuated, mainly from Rafa, as Israel has increased evacuation orders.
Some neighbours were ordered to evacuate in the Dear Albara district of central Gaza shortly after about 10 projectiles were fired from the strip. It is the largest barrage of territory since Israel resumed war.
Israel says about five people have been intercepted. Hamas’ military division argued for responsibility. Police said the rocket fell into the city of Ashkelon and debris fell in several other areas. One man was slightly injured, Israeli officials said.
According to the hospital receiving the bodies, Gaza crashed into a tent and house south of Khan Eunice, south of the enclave, killing five men, five women and five children.
At least four people have been killed in a Jabariya refugee camp in the north, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. One of the dead was a child and three were women.
According to civil defense, which operates under Hamas-run government, the strike in Gaza city targeted people waiting outside the bakery, killing at least six people.
The attack comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to visit US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. This is the second time the Israeli Prime Minister has met the US president since Trump returned to Washington.
Netanyahu says he will discuss the war with Trump, update US leaders on recent developments and discuss the next steps. Israeli leaders also said they would discuss the new 17% tariffs imposed on Israel as part of Trump’s sweeping global tariff policy.
The United States, a mediator of ceasefire efforts along with Egypt and Qatar, has expressed support for Israel’s reopening of the war last month.
The war in Gaza began after Hamas fighters launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians.
251 hostages were taken, most of whom were released as part of negotiations between the parties. There are 59 hostages remaining, of which 24 are thought to be still alive.
Israel vowed to intensify violence across Gaza to help the group submit and promote the return of the remaining hostages. All supply of food, fuel and humanitarian aid is also being cut off to put more pressure on them.
Israel has also called for the group to be disarmed and for them to leave Gaza. Hamas says he will only release hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire and the full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
However, the group rejects the assumption that they will lay their arms and leave the enclave.
