Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing Gaza, fearing Israeli ground attack

News Topical, Digital Desk : Fearing a ground attack by Israel, thousands of Palestinians are leaving their homes in the eastern areas of Gaza City and fleeing to the west and south of the devastated area. Ahmed Mahesen, a Palestinian shelter manager in Beit Lahiya, said that 995 families have left the area and moved south in recent days.

Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir has said that the army will soon launch a new operation to capture Gaza City, the largest urban center of the Gaza Strip. The army has warned that expanding the attack could endanger the living hostages. At the same time, thousands of Israelis protested on Sunday and urged an agreement to end the fighting and release the remaining hostages.

Ahead of the impending attack, ceasefire mediators from Egypt and Qatar have stepped up efforts to broker a deal. A Hamas official said on Monday that the group had approved the latest ceasefire proposal. The official did not provide further details and it was not immediately clear what they had accepted.

Gaza war death toll rises to 62,000

The Palestinian Health Ministry said on Monday that more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in the 22-month war in Gaza. The ministry said 156,230 people have been injured. 1,965 people were killed while receiving aid or near aid distribution sites. Seven Palestinians were killed while trying to receive aid on Monday morning. Meanwhile, Israel has said that 161 food aid packages were dropped in Gaza with the cooperation of nine countries. Also, the army has destroyed an armed terrorist cell in the old cemetery area of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

Israel revokes visas of Australian diplomats

Israel's foreign minister said he had revoked the visas of Australian diplomats in the Palestinian Authority. The move comes after Canberra's decision to recognise the Palestinian state and revoke the visa of an Israeli MP. Meanwhile, a Norwegian wealth fund has decided to exclude six companies linked to the West Bank and Gaza from its portfolio.

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