Israel continued its air attacks on Gaza killing at least 27 Palestinians, including several leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement. More than 70 people have been injured as the Israeli military offensive enters its third day.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad announced the death of Ali Ghali, commander of the group’s rocket launch unit, in a pre-dawn strike carried out by Israeli forces in Khan Younis.
Rockets have been fired in retaliation to overnight Israeli attacks.
Palestinian resistance groups have fired more than 400 rockets towards Israel, with the majority intercepted by Israeli missile defences. The Palestinian groups have demanded Israel end the territory’s 16-year-old air, land and sea blockade.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “condemns the civilian loss of life, including that of children and women, which he views as unacceptable and must stop immediately”, his spokesman said in a statement.
