At least 82 killed in Gaza after Israeli strikes

Israeli strikes have killed at least 82 people in Gaza, according to local medics.

Military strikes on Friday morning in northern Gaza sent people fleeing from Beit Lahia as well as the nearby Jabalia refugee camp.

The Associated Press (AP) reported that at least 66 bodies were brought to the Indonesian Hospital, citing information from officials from the same hospital.

The news agency also said another 16 bodies were taken to Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza where airstrikes overnight into Friday morning hit the city of Khan Younis – and further north on the outskirts of Deir al Balah.

It follows attacks by Israeli forces in recent days, in northern and southern Gaza. The total number killed has reached at least 250 across Gaza in the past 36 hours, according to Dr Sultan.

This week, Israel says it bombed the European Hospital because it was home to an underground Hamas base, but expert analysis casts doubt on its evidence.

Meanwhile, Tom Fletcher, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, briefed the Security Council earlier this week, warning they must “act now” to “prevent genocide” – a claim Israel vehemently denies.

Trump latest: Putin meeting planned ‘as soon as we can’

Donald Trump spoke about the situation in the region and the prospect of resolving the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as he wrapped up his trip to the Middle East.

In Abu Dhabi, the US president said: “We’re looking at Gaza, and we got to get that taken care of.

“A lot of people are starving, a lot of people. There’s a lot of bad things going on.”

While most of his four-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates focused on trade deals, he also chose to recognise the new government in Syria and urged Iran to engage in nuclear talks.

There had been widespread hope that Mr Trump’s regional visit could bring about a ceasefire deal or renewal of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

An Israeli blockade of the territory is now in its third month.

Israel says the blockade aims to pressure Hamas to release the hostages it still holds and that it will not allow aid back in until a system is in place that gives it control over distribution.

Earlier this week, a new humanitarian organisation said it expects to begin operations before the end of the month after what it describes as key agreements from Israeli officials.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation – which has US backing – identified several US military veterans, former humanitarian coordinators and security contractors that it said would lead the delivery effort.

Many in the humanitarian community, including the UN, said the system does not align with humanitarian principles and will not be able to meet the needs of Palestinians in Gaza.

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The war began when Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in the 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel.

Israel has killed nearly 53,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.