Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Kills 18 Family Members, Six Civilians Amid Cease-Fire Talks

Aug 17, 2024, 12:14 PM

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 18 members of the same family on Saturday, amid ongoing violence in the region. The strike targeted a shelter in the town of Al-Zawayda in central Gaza, according to multiple reports. The victims included nine children and three women, as reported by Gaza's civil defense agency. The Palestinian Authority-run news agency WAFA confirmed that 15 Palestinians were killed and dozens were wounded in the attack. Additionally, six innocent civilians, including Youssef Abu Ayada, were killed in another strike near Khan Younis. This incident is part of a broader escalation of violence, with reports of multiple airstrikes in Gaza over the past 24 hours, resulting in numerous casualties. Mediators have expressed optimism for an imminent cease-fire deal despite the ongoing hostilities.