Accra: An end to Israel's current war in the Gaza Strip is near, Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Monday, as the daily death toll in the Palestinian territory was reported to be at least 100. 'We are now approaching the conclusion of the operation in Gaza,' Katz said in a statement, a week after the Jewish state ended its short war with Iran.
According to Ghana News Agency, Katz reiterated Israel's objectives in the conflict, including the release of all hostages and the defeat of Islamist group Hamas. The war was sparked by Hamas and other Palestinian militants launching an unprecedented terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
US President Donald Trump had stated over the weekend that he expects a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict soon. However, it was unclear what Trump's statement was based on. Now Katz has appeared to confirm Trump's optimism, but Palestinian sources say it came on a bloody day in the coastal strip.
At least 34 people were killed in Gaza City, staff at the nearby Shifa Hospital told dpa, after eyewitnesses reported that a caf© on the promenade was hit by an Israeli attack. Among the victims were said to be several minors and women, as well as a journalist.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, stated instead that the attack targeted a camp for displaced people on the beach, while the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that a rest area on the beach was struck. Israel's military announced that it would investigate the reports.
The army stated that it is targeting Hamas and other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip, while emphasizing that it takes measures to protect civilians. According to medical sources in the strip, at least 100 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Monday.
