Gaza rescuers say “Israeli” forces kill over 50 as ceasefire calls mount

Gaza's civil defence agency said “Israeli” forces killed at least 51 people, including 24 at a seafront rest area, as fresh calls grow for a ceasefire in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

The swift resolution of “Israel's” 12-day war with Iran has revived hopes for a halt to the fighting in Gaza, where more than 20 months of combat have created dire humanitarian conditions for the population of more than two million.

“Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the White House on July 7, a US official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

US President Donald Trump recently urged “Israel” to "make the deal in Gaza", and the “Israeli” Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is visiting Washington this week for talks with US officials.

But on the ground, “Israel” has continued to pursue its offensive across the Palestinian territory.

Gaza's civil defence agency said 51 people had been killed by “Israeli” forces on Monday, including 24 in a strike on a rest area on Gaza City's seafront.

The government media office reported that photojournalist Ismail Abu Hatab was among those killed in the strike.

“Targeting was deliberate”

Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that 27 others were killed by “Israeli” strikes or fire across Gaza, including 11 near aid points in the centre and south.

“No longer any benefit”

Netanyahu had said on Sunday that “Israel's victory” over Iran had created "opportunities", including for freeing captives.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid, meanwhile, said on Monday there was "no longer any benefit" to the war.

“Israel's” defence minister suggested during a meeting with Netanyahu and the army's general staff that the campaign in Gaza was nearing its goal.

"We now face the completion of the campaign in Gaza, to achieve its objectives -- foremost among them, the release of all hostages and the defeat of Hamas," Israel Katz said.

Trump had said on Friday that he was hoping for a new ceasefire in Gaza "within the next week".

Three days later, Washington announced the $510-million sale to “Israel” of bomb guidance kits and related support.

"The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to US national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability," the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.

Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari told journalists on Monday that "momentum" had been created by the Iran truce but "we won't hold our breath for this to happen today and tomorrow".