Israel advances plan to seize Gaza City, kills 81 in ‘fierce’ attacks

At least 81 Palestinians, including 30 aid seekers, have been killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza since dawn on Wednesday, and three more people have starved to death in the Strip, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry.

Relatives of Israeli captives held in Gaza have condemned the Israeli Defence Ministry’s approval of a plan to seize Gaza City and accused the government of ignoring a ceasefire proposal approved by Hamas, saying it was “a stab in the heart of the families and the public in Israel”.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 62,122 people and wounded 156,758, while 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7 attacks, with more than 200 taken captive.

World leaders have condemned Israel’s approval of the so-called E1 settlement expansion project in the occupied West Bank, saying the plan will sever the Palestinian territory and effectively destroy hopes for a two-state solution.