Israel’s bombing of several areas in central Gaza has killed at least 17 people overnight, according to local media . The attacks include a strike on the al-Rai family’s home in Nuseirat, which killed at least eight people. Palestine’s Wafa news agency also reported Israeli strikes on Rafah, southern Gaza, despite the Israeli army's announced "pause" in fighting to facilitate the flow of aid.
The intense bombing of central Gaza comes as a senior Israeli negotiator told that tens of hostages held by Hamas are alive “with certainty”. The negotiator, who spoke to the agency on the condition of anonymity, said that Israel cannot end the war before ensuring the release of all hostages as he believes Hamas could “breach their commitment..
. and drag out the negotiations for 10 years”. “Because during the first phase, there's a clause that we hold negotiations about the second phase,” the official said, referring to the ceasefire plan presented by US President Joe Biden.
“The second phase is the release of the men and male soldier hostages.” The negotiator said that Israel green-lit Biden’s plan, and that they are waiting on an approval from Hamas. The Palestinian group previously stated that they would only accept a deal that guarantees a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, as they worry Israel might continue its attacks after the first phase of the plan.
The Israeli official said that should no deal with Hamas be reached, then the Israeli army will “continue to f.
