At least 50 Palestinians killed in Gaza, says local health autority

At least 50 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, according to the Gaza health authority, which is controlled by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

Earlier, the WAFA Palestinian news agency reported at least 11 civilian deaths and an unspecified number of people injured in the southern city of Khan Yunis and in the Nuseirat area in central Gaza.

The reports come as efforts for a ceasefire continue in Cairo, with Hamas sending a delegation.

Israel has been waging war on Hamas since October 2023, and the army reported ongoing heavy fighting in the south, centre and north of the Gaza Strip.

On Friday, the army called on residents of Gaza City to flee westwards towards the sea to avoid upcoming military confrontations.

Israeli soldiers have since advanced into the area, killing several people and destroying what they described as terrorist infrastructure, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

More than 40,000 people have been killed and over 90,000 injured in the Gaza Strip, according to the health authority which does not distinguish between civilians and fighters. Israel claims to have killed at least 14,000 armed individuals.

The war began after Hamas and other extremist groups killed more than 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7.