Israeli Strike on southern Gaza strip kills 22 Palestinians

GAZA, Jan 7: At least 22 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike on a residential building in the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, Al Jazeera broadcaster reported on Saturday.

On October 7, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, while its fighters breached the border, opening fire on the military and civilians.

As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed, and some 240 others abducted. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza and launched a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages.

Over 22,700 people have been killed so far in Gaza as a result of Israeli strikes, local authorities said.

On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. (UNI)