AFP
Israel pressed on with its expanded ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday following the end of a seven-day truce last week.
Hamas militants from Gaza launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 240 hostages, according to Israeli officials.
In response, Israel vowed to destroy Hamas and has carried out air strikes and a ground offensive that have killed nearly 15,900 people, mostly women and children, according to Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry.
During the temporary truce, Hamas released 80 Israeli hostages and 25 other captives, mostly Thai, in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli army said 137 hostages were still being held in Gaza.
On day 60 of the war, here are five key developments from the past 24 hours:
- Fighting in Khan Yunis -
The Israeli army said its ground forces were engaged in fighting in Gaza's second-biggest city, Khan Yunis, in the south of the territory.
"We are in the heart of Jabalia, in the heart of Shejaiya (in northern Gaza), and now also in the heart of Khan Yunis," Southern Command chief Major General Yaron Finkelman said on what he called "the most intense day since the beginning of the ground operation."
Israeli tanks, armoured personnel carriers and bulldozers had earlier been seen near Khan Yunis, forcing already displaced civilians to pack up and flee again, witnesses told AFP.
The military said 80 soldiers had been killed since the start of its offensive against Hamas in Gaza.
- Safe zones 'not possible' -
The United Nations said it was impossible to create safe zones for civilians in Gaza.
"The so-called safe zones... are not scientific, they are not rational, they are not possible," said James Elder, spokesman for the UN children's agency, UNICEF.
His comments came after Israel's army published a map it said was intended to enable Gazans to "evacuate from specific places for their safety if required".
That followed international demands to create safe areas where civilians could shelter from devastating bombardments.
- Qatar slams inaction -
Qatar's emir has hit out at international inaction over the Israel-Hamas war.
"It is shameful for the international community to allow this heinous crime to continue for nearly two months, during which the systematic and deliberate killing of innocent civilians continues, including women and children," Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani said.
- Lebanese soldier killed -
A Lebanese soldier was killed by Israeli fire on a border post, Lebanon's army said, the first death in the armed forces since hostilities began on the frontier in October.
The Lebanon-Israel border has seen intensifying exchanges of fire since war broke out between Hamas and Israel, mainly involving the Iran-backed Hezbollah, raising fears of a broader conflagration.
More than 110 people have been killed on the Lebanese side, mostly Hezbollah fighters and more than a dozen civilians, according to an AFP tally.
On the Israeli side, six soldiers have been killed, Israeli authorities said.
- Communications blackout -
The main telecom company in Gaza says mobile and internet communications have been cut across the territory.
"We regret to announce that all telecom services in the Gaza Strip have been lost due to the cut-off of main fibre routes from the Israeli side," Paltel said.
"Gaza is... blacked out again."
AFP
