Gaza Health Officials: At Least 57 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Attacks

The militant group Hamas accused Israel of intensifying attacks in Gaza to derail the efforts of Arab and American mediators to reach a ceasefire agreement. Israel claims it is trying to eradicate Hamas militants. Israeli forces bombed southern and central areas of the Gaza Strip again on Tuesday, July 16. According to Gaza health officials, at least 57 people were killed in these attacks. Health officials in Gaza reported that in the southern border city of Rafah, where Israeli forces have been operating since April, five Palestinians were killed in an airstrike on a house. Near Khan Younis, a man was killed along with his wife and two children. According to Reuters, late on Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike on a vehicle claimed the lives of at least 17 Palestinians in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, leaving 26 injured. The Gaza Health Ministry stated that the airstrike occurred near Al-Mawasi, an area designated for humanitarian aid where refugee tents are located. The Israeli army stated that it targeted a senior official of the Islamic Jihad militant group, which is allied with Hamas, in that attack. In a statement, the army said, "We are investigating reports of several civilian injuries resulting from this attack." Reuters published images showing residents carrying the bodies of the dead and the injured on carts and carriages to hospitals. According to doctors, in the historic Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, at least four Palestinians were killed in separate gunfire and airstrike incidents in central Gaza. They reported that four people were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Sheikh Zayed in northern Gaza. According to Gaza health officials, hours later, an Israeli airstrike on a UN-run school housing displaced families in the Nuseirat camp left 23 dead and many injured. The media office of the Gaza government, run by Hamas, stated that a local journalist was among the dead. So far, 160 journalists have been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli army stated in a statement that after taking measures to reduce the risk to civilians, it attacked a group of "terrorists" who were leading operations from inside the school. Israel has stated that it will continue its attacks until Hamas is eradicated. Gaza health officials in their latest update on Tuesday reported that since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas, at least 38,713 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's retaliatory attacks. Israel reported that 326 of its soldiers have been killed in the Gaza Strip. Egyptian security sources reported that a three-day negotiation to end the conflict failed on Saturday without reaching a logical outcome and was completely halted after Israel's attack on Mohammed Deif, the senior military commander of Hamas. A Palestinian official close to the negotiations told Reuters that despite the escalation of Israeli attacks, Hamas is unwilling to stop negotiations. This official stated, "Hamas wants an end to the war, but not at any cost. Hamas has shown the necessary flexibility and is pressuring mediators to compel Israel to reciprocate." He said that Hamas believes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to distance himself from an agreement by adding more conditions that limit the return of refugees to northern Gaza and restrict control over the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said on Monday that two senior advisors to Netanyahu have stated that Israel remains committed to achieving a ceasefire. The reciprocal attacks between Israel and Hamas continue; Biden says the war must stop. Israeli attacks on various areas of Gaza continue; however, Hamas states it has not exited ceasefire negotiations. Hamas claims it has not exited ceasefire negotiations. Netanyahu: I am not "completely sure" about the death of Mohammed Deif; this attack sent a deterrent message to the Iranian government. The Israeli airstrike on the hideout of Mohammed Deif and Hamas commanders left dozens dead. Guterres: "The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East" has no alternative, support UNRWA. The Israeli Foreign Minister to Erdogan: You are a disgrace to Atatürk's legacy. Netanyahu's office described reports of Israeli forces withdrawing from the Gaza-Egypt border as "fake." Israel and Egypt are negotiating an electronic monitoring system on the western border of the Gaza Strip. Report on the October 7 Hamas attack; the Israeli army admitted its mistakes. Disagreement between two Democratic candidates in the New York primary over the Gaza war. Netanyahu: Hamas's demands endanger Israel.