Israel bombs Gaza as disagreements with U.S. simmer

Israel bombarded southern Gaza after it publicly sparred with its main ally, the United States, over the possibility of a Palestinian state, the creation of which Washington sees as the only pathway to a lasting peace.

Israel bombarded southern Gaza after it publicly sparred with its main ally, the United States, over the possibility of a Palestinian state, the creation of which Washington sees as the only pathway to a lasting peace.

Witnesses reported gunfire and air strikes early on January 19 in Khan Younis, the main city in the south of the Gaza Strip, where Israel says many members and leaders of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas are hiding.

The Palestinian Red Crescent reported "intense" artillery fire near the Al-Amal hospital, while Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said 77 people were killed and dozens injured overnight.

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The Israeli military said its Givati Brigade was fighting as far south as its troops had reached so far in the campaign.

"The soldiers eliminated dozens of terrorists in close-quarters combat and with the assistance of tank fire and air support," it said.

The United Nations says the war, which began with the unprecedented Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, has displaced roughly 85% of Gaza's 2.4 million people.