An Israeli airstrike kills 18 members of a family in Gaza

18/8/2024 7:17

        An Israel airstrike in Gaza killed at least 18 people, all from the same family, on Saturday, hours after mediators expressed optimism for an imminent cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas.
        
        Officials from the United States, Egypt and Qatar ended two days of cease-fire talks and expressed hope that a deal could be reached in the 10-month-old war. A joint statement said a proposal to bridge gaps between Israel and Hamas was presented and they expect to work out implementation details next week in Cairo.
        
        The mediation efforts are aimed at securing the release of scores of Israeli hostages and stopping the fighting that has devastated Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed 40,000 and health workers fear a possible polio outbreak. Talks are also aimed at calming regional tensions that have threatened to explode into a broader war if Iran and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon attack Israel in retaliation for the recent killings of militant leaders.