Israeli Strikes Kill 20 In Gaza, Hospitals Say

GAZA STRIP – At least 20 Palestinians, including children and a paramedic, have been killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza, with nearly 40 others wounded, according to hospital officials.

The Israeli military says tanks and aircraft carried out “precise strikes” on what it calls Hamas fighters, after gunmen opened fire on Israeli troops in Northern Gaza, seriously wounding an officer.

Israel says the shooting violated the 3-month-old ceasefire, while Hamas calls the strikes a pretext for continued aggression.

Hospitals report tents for displaced families and homes were hit – killing children and civilians in both Northern and Southern Gaza.

A paramedic was also killed while responding to a strike, drawing condemnation from the Red Crescent and the International Committee of the Red Cross, which say medical workers must be protected under international law.

Both sides accuse each other of near-daily ceasefire violations.

As the death toll in Gaza since the war began tops 71,000, according to health officials.