Israeli Airstrikes In Gaza Continue, 37 People Killed In 2 Days

JAKARTA - Israeli airstrikes killed seven people on Monday night at a cafe near the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. The total death toll from Israeli attacks since Sunday night has been 37 people.

In central Gaza, Israeli forces on Monday morning sent tanks to the Nuseirat camp from the west, sparking panic among residents and refugee families as tanks moving forward opened fire.

Twenty people died as a result of air and land attacks in Nuseirat, one of eight refugee camps including several in camp tents, health officials at Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat said.

Residents of Zaik Mohammad said the tank attack shocked residents.

"Some people can't get out and stay trapped in their homes, begging to be allowed out, while others rush out with whatever they can carry while fleeing," Mohammad said.

With the war in Gaza now entering its 14th month, Israel is focusing its operations in the north and center of the enclave in what it says is an operation to stop Hamas militants from launching attacks and gathering again.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been asked to flee the area, sparking fears that they may not be allowed back.

Opportunities for a ceasefire were running low at the weekend when Qatar mediators said it was delaying the effort until Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas showed a greater willingness to reach an agreement.

Israeli airstrikes also killed people in Gaza City and in the city of Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, where Israeli forces have been operating since October 5, medics said.

At Kamal Adwan Hospital near Beit Lahiya, medics said Israeli fire from a drone injured three medical workers at the facility.

The Israeli military said it killed a senior commander of the Islamic Jihad group, Hamas ally Mohammad Abu Skhail, in an attack on Saturday at a command center inside the complex that previously served as a school in Gaza City.

Palestinian medics said the attack killed six people.