Israeli airstrikes kill 12 in Gaza amid slowing ground fighting

Israeli warplanes pounded different parts of the Gaza Strip on Monday, killing at least 12 people, including a journalist and her family, medics said. The raids came as ground fighting appeared to decline, with Israel intensifying its military campaign against Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.

Palestinian health officials report that Wafa Al-Udaini, a vocal writer who has articulated the Palestinian perspective, died today when a missile hit her home in Deir Al-Balah along with her husband and children. She is the 174th Palestinian journalist killed since hostilities began on Oct. 7.

Other casualties include a Palestinian at Rafah, and another man in Beit Hanoun. It is later stated that six people died after the airstrike struck the Nuseirat, the historical refugee camp.
“We could hardly tell if there were any activities on the ground due to the constant airstrike,” said one of the residents. And if this were not enough, Israel intensified its attacks against Hezbollah following reports their leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed by the airstrike which struck the southern port city, Friday.

Meanwhile, Israel released 12 Palestinians among them a renowned surgeon due to the continuing war. Most of the released claimed having been tortured and this is one account which Israel denies.

The hostilities between Israel and Hamas have escalated as the result of an October 7 attack by militants, which killed over 1,200 Israelis and took some 250 people hostage. Massive internal displacement occurred in the Gaza where, according to local health authorities, over 41,500 Palestinians have been reportedly killed in the war.