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22 children among 48 killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza

The strikes hit residential areas in Jabaliya, with the Indonesian Hospital reporting a surge in casualties.

Palestinians inspect the rubble of homes destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip. (AP Photo)

At least 48 people, including 22 children, were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza late Tuesday and early Wednesday, hospital officials said. The strikes hit residential areas in Jabaliya, with the Indonesian Hospital reporting a surge in casualties.

The attacks came just a day after Hamas released an Israeli-American hostage in a deal reportedly brokered by the US — a development that had briefly raised hopes of a de-escalation.

The Israeli military had issued evacuation warnings to residents of Jabaliya late Tuesday, citing Hamas military infrastructure in the area, including rocket launchers. Many civilians, however, continued to stay in the densely populated zone. The military declined to comment on the strikes.

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The escalation came as US President Donald Trump was visiting Saudi Arabia, where regional security and the Gaza conflict were expected to feature prominently in discussions.

Also Read: | Israeli military says it struck ‘a Hamas command center’ beneath a Gaza hospital

Netanyahu rules out ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dismissed calls for a ceasefire, saying there was “no way” Israel would halt its war in Gaza

The war began in 2023 after Hamas-led militants launched a deadly cross-border attack into southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign that has so far killed over 52,800 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Nearly 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced since the conflict began.

(With inputs from AP)

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