Israel says troops encircle Gaza City as Blinken visits
The Hindu
Israel encircled Gaza City Fri. US diplomat Blinken arrived to seek "concrete steps" to reduce Palestinian civilian casualties. Israel's military said it had "completed the encirclement" of the city, amid fighting triggered by Hamas' raids. Gaza health ministry says 9,000+ died in Israeli bombardments, mostly women and children. Fresh Israeli strikes Fri. morning, 15+ deaths in Zeitun, 7 in Jabalia. Hamas gov. says 195 killed in Jabalia bombardments. Blinken said US committed to minimise harm to civilians. Netanyahu said Israel had "impressive successes" advancing. Gaza City residents endure weeks of bombardment, dwindling supplies and daily carnage.
Israeli ground troops encircled Gaza City on Friday in their war against Hamas, as top U.S. diplomat Antony Blinken arrived in Israel for a trip focused on "concrete steps" to minimise Palestinian civilian casualties.
Ahead of Mr. Blinken's arrival, Israel's military said on Thursday it had "completed the encirclement" of the narrow Palestinian territory's largest city -- signalling a new phase in the nearly month-long conflict.
Israel-Hamas war, Day 28 LIVE updates
Fighting was triggered by Hamas' bloody raids on October 7 that Israeli officials say killed more than 1,400 people.
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry says more than 9,000 people have died in Israeli bombardments, mostly women and children.
Fresh Israeli strikes rocked the Gaza Strip on Friday morning, an AFP correspondent said, and the Gaza health ministry reported at least 15 deaths in Gaza City's Zeitun neighbourhood and seven in Jabalia refugee camp.
The Hamas government has said 195 people were killed in Israeli bombardments on Jabalia earlier this week, with hundreds more missing and wounded, figures AFP could not independently verify.
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