Egypt Daily News – Israeli tanks penetrated deeper areas in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday, as fighting intensified against Hamas fighters, while health officials in the Strip said that Israeli bombing during the past 24 hours had killed 66 Palestinians.
The tanks penetrated deep into three towns: Al-Qarara, Al-Zana and Benishila, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, and medics said that Israeli bombing claimed the lives of at least nine Palestinians earlier on Sunday in these areas.
Residents said that fighting could be heard in the eastern areas of Khan Yunis, where Israeli army operations were taking place. The new incursions led to the displacement of thousands of families from their homes and heading to crowded areas in Al-Mawasi in the west, and north to Deir Al-Balah.
During the past few days, the Israeli army said that the raid on eastern Khan Yunis came in response to renewed attacks, including rocket firing, from those areas and to prevent Hamas from reorganizing its ranks. He added that he killed dozens of militants in the area and destroyed military infrastructure.
In Rafah, near the border with Egypt, Israeli forces penetrated into the northern parts of the city, where they have not yet been able to fully control it.
Tanks also bombed some areas in the middle of the Gaza Strip, including Al-Bureij Camp, Al-Nuseirat Camp, and the village of Juhr Al-Dik.
CIA Director William Burns is expected to meet on Sunday in Rome with his Israeli and Egyptian counterparts and the Qatari Prime Minister to hold talks on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
