At least 17 reported killed after deadly Israeli airstrikes hit southern Gaza

Israeli airstrikes in southern Gaza have killed at least 17 people late on Tuesday, nearly all of whom were women or children according to local health authorities. 

Five children were killed as they sheltered together in the same tent, said the director of the children’s ward at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.  

Their bodies were among eight children and five women brought to the hospital after strikes reportedly tore into tents for displaced Palestinians, a car and two houses. 

Two of the dead were men and two in the vehicle were unidentifiable. 

Israel claimed to have targeted militants who had taken part in the October 7, 2023 attack which sparked the war – without providing evidence. Israel blamed Hamas for the civilian casualties. 

The ongoing war in Gaza is raging with no end in sight, though there has been recent reported progress in ceasefire talks and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. 

Israel’s air and ground war has killed over 45,800 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health authorities.  

They say women and children make up more than half the dead but do not say how many of those killed were militants.