Israeli airstrike kills five in Deir al-Balah — Al Jazeera

 At least five people, including a child, were killed when an Israeli airstrike hit a residential building in the town of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, Al Jazeera reported on Monday.

According to the Qatari broadcaster, a total of 85 Palestinians have been killed across the enclave in the past 24 hours due to Israeli strikes.

The Israeli military resumed full-scale operations in Gaza on March 18, ending a ceasefire that had been in place since January. The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign was relaunched after Hamas rejected proposals from mediators, including U.S. special envoy Steven Witkoff.

Israel says the goal of the offensive is to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas. Hamas has blamed Israel and the United States for the renewed escalation.

N.Tebrizli