Dozens killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza

By Anadolu staff

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - Israel continued bombing the Gaza Strip late Tuesday, hours before the expected announcement of a truce deal and prisoner exchange with the Palestinian group Hamas.

At least 15 people were killed and 25 others were wounded when Israeli occupation forces targeted a residential apartment in the southern city of Hamad, the Palestinian News Agency WAFA reported.

In the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, medical sources told WAFA that five people were martyred in an Israeli raid.

In Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, at least 24 people were killed and 20 others were wounded in Israeli airstrikes on two homes.

Two people were also killed and several others were injured in an Israeli bombing that targeted a house in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip.

The sources also told WAFA that 120 people were killed Tuesday and dozens were wounded and missing as a result of continuous Israeli attacks on homes, hospitals and ambulances.

Some 320 wounded and their companions were evacuated from the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip.

The attacks continue in light of the anticipation of the announcement of a prisoner exchange and cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

While it was widely expected that the agreement would take effect on Tuesday evening, Israel’s Channel 12 said the release of prisoners is expected to begin on Thursday or Friday.

The agreement includes the release of 50 Israeli prisoners from the Gaza Strip in exchange for the freeing of 150 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, in addition to a cease-fire in Gaza for four days, with 300 trucks of humanitarian supplies including fuel entering the enclave daily.

The deal, which is being brokered by Qatar, keeps the door open for extending the cease-fire.

Israel estimates that at least 239 Israelis are being held by Hamas following its cross-border attack on Oct. 7.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas attack.

The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has soared to 14,128, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said Tuesday.

“The victims include over 5,840 children and 3,920 women,” the ministry added in a statement.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel’s air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave.