At least 13 Palestinians have been killed and many others injured in renewed Israeli airstrikes targeting the Palestinian city of Rafah in the besieged Gaza Strip.

According to reports from the news agency Reuters, Israel targeted three houses overnight in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. The official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, reported a higher death toll, while Hamas's media outlet claimed the death toll was 15.

In a heartbreaking incident, nine members of a family led by a man named Abu Taha were killed in one of the targeted houses. A small child was miraculously rescued from the scene by a neighbor, believed to be the only survivor of the family. Abu Taha, described as a perfume seller, was not affiliated with any political or armed group, leaving neighbors baffled as to why their house was targeted.

The attack in Rafah coincides with Egypt's invitation to Hamas leaders for ceasefire discussions with Israel. Hamas officials are expected to travel to Egypt on Monday for talks aimed at achieving a cessation of hostilities.

Meanwhile, despite international calls for a ceasefire, Israel's military chief of staff has approved plans to continue the conflict. Hard-line ministers in Israel's government have warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that agreeing to a ceasefire could lead to the collapse of his government.

The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately comment on the latest airstrikes in Rafah.

The escalation in violence follows an incursion by the Palestinian organization Hamas into Israeli territory on October 7, prompting Israeli retaliation in Gaza. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, and left more than 77,000 injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry controlled by Hamas.