Gaza, July 02 (V7N) — Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, Israel has escalated its military operations in Gaza, killing at least 109 Palestinians in the past 24 hours, according to a report by Al Jazeera on Tuesday (July 1).

The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed that among the dead, 16 people were killed in an ambush by Israeli forces at a food distribution center in the southern part of the enclave. Since late May, at least 600 Palestinians have reportedly been killed while seeking aid at such centers.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also resumed air and drone attacks on Gaza City, with quadcopter strikes killing at least five people. Meanwhile, residential areas in Khan Yunis and Al Mawasi were hit, leaving 12 dead, as per local medical sources.

The IDF reportedly conducted over 140 attacks across Gaza Valley and other regions within the last 24 hours, raising the death toll of Israel’s ongoing offensive to nearly 56,000 since October 2023.

Ceasefire discussions, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, continue amid growing international pressure to halt hostilities and allow humanitarian aid into the war-torn territory.

END/RH/AJ