Dozens were killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza on Saturday, local health officials said, despite a demand from U.S. President Donald Trump for Israel to stop bombing in response to a declaration by Hamas that it was ready to free hostages under his plan to end the two-year-old war.
With ceasefire talks due to begin in Egypt in the coming
week, Trump said on Saturday on his Truth Social platform that Israel had
agreed to an "initial withdrawal line" inside Gaza and that
"when Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective."
At least 36 people were killed in bombardments and
airstrikes in the devastated
Palestinian enclave since Trump pressed Israel to halt its attacks
late on Friday.
Eighteen people died in sporadic incidents, while 18 people,
including children, were killed and several others wounded in an Israeli strike
on a house in the Tuffah neighbourhood in Gaza City, medics said. The attack
damaged several buildings nearby.
Israel said it had targeted a Hamas militant who had posed a
threat to its troops in the area, and that reports of casualties were under
review.
The military "regrets any harm caused to uninvolved
civilians and works to mitigate harm to uninvolved civilians as much as
possible," it said in a statement.
Hamas said in a statement, referring to the Israeli prime
minister, that "the continuation of the occupation’s bombing and massacres
exposes Netanyahu’s lies about reducing military operations against civilians."
