Israeli strike in southern Gaza leaves dozens dead as cease-fire talks continue

At least three dozen people were killed in the latest Israeli strikes on southern Gaza, as cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas continue.

The Nasser Hospital received a total of 33 dead bodies killed in three separate Israeli strikes around Khan Younis. Another hospital received three bodies, The Associated Press reported.

Around 11 members of one family were killed in the strike and at least 17 others were injured, per the news wire. The Israeli military told the AP that it was looking into the reports but had no immediate comment.

The latest attacks come after President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Wednesday about the efforts to secure a cease-fire and hostage return deal and calm tensions in the region. The call, which also included Vice President Harris, follows reports that Netanyahu has frustrated the Biden administration by backtracking on promises to draw down military force on the Gaza-Egypt border.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Netanyahu for three hours Monday and said the Israeli leader had agreed to a U.S.-led proposal to close gaps between Israel and Hamas.

After Blinken’s meeting, Hamas seemed unwilling to agree to the deal, however, saying he said “misleading claims.”

Since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, sparking the war, more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s deadly counteroffensive, per local health authorities.

More than 100 hostages remain in Hamas’s control and the Israeli leader has maintained that they must be returned for a cease-fire deal to be done.

The apparent collapse of the deal to pause fighting in the region is spurring fears that a major escalation of conflict in the Middle East is around the corner. The White House pushed back on that notion Friday, saying the process is actually “moving forward.”

The Associated Press contributed reporting.