courtesy: Al Jazeera
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The enclaved Gaza Strip has been hit by one of the deadliest Israeli bombs so far in the current war against Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, the reports suggested that talks to secure release of another 50 hostages were underway.
In the last 24 hours, at least 400 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, according to Hamas run health ministry, and 70 were killed overnight on Sunday as Israeli military targeted the densely populated Jabalia refugee camp and streets close to two hospitals in Gaza.
Entire residential blocks across the strip, including the areas where Palestinians were told to take refuge by Israeli Defense Force (IDF), were levelled. Approximately half the strip’s housing stock, and much of the coastal enclave, is now covered in grey rubble dust.
Israeli outlets on Monday reported that U.S. and Qatar are in active negotiations with Hamas for the release of additional 50 hostages. On Sunday, the U.S. had pressed Israel to push back its ground offensive plan as to allow time for the release of more hostages and also deliver the more of aid to the besieged territory.
Maariv newspaper reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is at great odds with his generals regarding when to launch ground invasion. PM Office was forced to issue a statement on Monday, denying the reports of friction, saying, “The PM, the defense minister, and the IDF chief of staff are working in close and full cooperation… There is told and mutual trust.”