Israel kills scores in overnight central Gaza strikes despite 'pause'

Israel’s bombing of several areas in central Gaza has killed at least 17 people overnight, according to local media reports.

The attacks include a strike on the al-Rai family’s home in Nuseirat, which killed at least eight people.

Palestine’s Wafa news agency also reported Israeli strikes on Rafah, southern Gaza, despite the Israeli army's announced "pause" in fighting to facilitate the flow of aid.

The intense bombing of central Gaza comes as a senior Israeli negotiator told AFP that tens of hostages held by Hamas are alive “with certainty”.

In the US, two Democratic lawmakers who had been stalling a major arms sale to Israel, which includes 50 F-15 fighter jets, have now agreed to support it following pressure from the Biden administration.

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