Israel considers full Gaza takeover as more die of hunger

Gaza civil defence says Israeli attacks kill 26

Monitoring  Desk

TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu favors a complete military takeover of Gaza for the first time in two decades, media reported, and was to meet senior security officials on to finalize a new strategy in the 22-month war.

Mediation between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas has collapsed despite intense international pressure for a ceasefire to ease hunger and appalling conditions in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Eight more people died of starvation or malnutrition in the past 24 hours, Gaza’s health ministry said, while another 79 died in the latest Israeli fire.

Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that eight people were killed by Israeli gunfire while waiting for aid near the south Gaza city of Khan Yunis

Six more people were killed and 21 injured by Israeli fire in central Gaza while waiting for food near a distribution center

Gaza’s civil defense agency said 26 people were killed by Israeli gunfire and air strikes on Tuesday, including 14 who were waiting near an aid distribution site inside the Palestinian territory.

Civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that eight people were killed by Israeli gunfire while waiting for aid near the south Gaza city of Khan Yunis.

Six more people were killed and 21 injured by Israeli fire in central Gaza while waiting for food near a distribution center, according to Bassal.

The Israeli army told AFP it was looking into the incidents.