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Israel-Gaza war
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Fighting continues in southern Gaza as Israeli strikes hit central areas

  • Israeli PM Netanyahu on Sunday ordered a delegation charged with negotiating a hostage deal to be dispatched on Thursday, his office said

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An explosion following an Israeli air strike on a residential building in Nuseirat, central Gaza at the weekend. Photo: Reuters
Reuters

Israeli forces battled Palestinian fighters in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Sunday, striking areas in the centre of the coastal enclave where thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes have been seeking shelter.

Residents in Rafah, near the border with Egypt, said fierce battles raged between Hamas-led fighters and Israeli forces, especially in the centre and in western areas where tanks had advanced in the previous two days.

The armed wings of the Islamic Jihad and Hamas Islamist militant groups said fighters confronted Israeli forces with anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to Israeli soldiers during a visit to the southern city of Rafah in Gaza. Photo: Avi Ohayon / GPO / dpa -
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to Israeli soldiers during a visit to the southern city of Rafah in Gaza. Photo: Avi Ohayon / GPO / dpa -

The Israeli military said its soldiers had killed a group of fighters who were moving towards them, and destroyed ammunition, tunnel shafts and infrastructure in Tel al-Sultan, in the eastern part of the city.

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A ceasefire effort led by Qatar and Egypt and backed by the United States has so far failed because of disagreements between the combatants, who blame each other for the impasse.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday ordered a delegation charged with negotiating a hostage deal to be dispatched on Thursday, his office said.
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Netanyahu held a meeting on Sunday with the delegation and senior members of Israel’s defence establishment, a statement said, without giving the delegation’s destination.

02:14
Israelis banned from the Maldives as island tourist hotspot voices opposition to Gaza war
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