GAZA: Israeli tank shelling and airstrikes killed at least 23 Palestinians including seven children across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday according to local health officials. Among the victims was a medic who was struck while attempting to rescue wounded civilians in Khan Younis after a second attack hit the area.
Strikes also targeted Gaza City where a five month old infant was reported killed.In Mawasi near Khan Younis tents sheltering displaced families were destroyed forcing more residents to flee amid worsening humanitarian conditions.Gaza is home to more than two million people most of whom have already been displaced during the conflict.
The Israeli military said the attacks were carried out in response to militants firing on Israeli troops near the armistice line, adding that one strike targeted a senior Hamas commander. An Israeli soldier was reportedly seriously wounded during the incident.
The violence comes days after Israel reopened the Rafah border crossing with Egypt as part of an October ceasefire under a U.S.backed plan. Sixteen Palestinian patients and 40 escorts crossed into Egypt on Tuesday, while dozens returned to Gaza.
Hamas condemned the strikes saying they violated the ceasefire and called for urgent international intervention. Despite the truce near daily violence continues as negotiations over Israeli withdrawal and Hamas disarmament remain unresolved.
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