Israeli attacks have killed at least 21 people across Gaza today as health authorities in the enclave said the death toll from Israeli attacks had climbed to over 66,000 since October 2023.
Health officials said that the death toll has now climbed to 66,005, with a further 168,162 people injured.
Among the dead were 79 who were brought to hospitals in the past 24 hours, the health ministry in Gaza added.
It came as Israeli tanks moved deeper into Gaza City's residential districts, as local health authorities said they have been unable to respond to dozens of desperate calls, expressing concern about the fate of residents in the targeted areas.
Witnesses and medics said Israeli tanks had deepened their incursions in the Sabra, Tel Al-Hawa, Sheikh Radwan and Al-Naser neighbourhoods, closing in on the heart and the western areas of Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands of people are sheltering.
The Israeli military launched its ground offensive on Gaza City on 16 September after weeks of intensifying strikes on the urban centre, forcing hundreds of Palestinians to flee although many still remain.
Hamas, which Israel has demanded must surrender, said yesterday it had not received a new proposal from mediators, after US President Donald Trump said on Friday that "a deal on Gaza" seemed likely.
Mr Trump is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House tomorrow.
A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Israel separately said that Ambassador Mike Huckabee would travel to Egypt to meet with Egyptian officials "as part of regular diplomatic consultations conducted between US embassies in the region".
Egypt is among those mediating between Israel and Hamas.
The Civil Emergency Service in Gaza said late last night that Israel had denied 73 requests, sent via international organisations, to rescue injured Palestinians in Gaza City.
At least five people were killed in an air strike in Gaza's Al Naser area, local health authorities said.
Medics reported 16 more deaths in strikes on houses in central Gaza, bringing today’s death toll to at least 21.
Yesterday, Israeli attacks killed at least 77 people, health authorities in Gaza said.
Hamas's armed wing said it lost contact with two hostages, Matan Angrest and Omri Miran, during Israeli military operations in two Gaza City neighborhoods.
In a statement, the al-Qassam Brigades said it had demanded that Israel halt air sorties for 24 hours, starting at 6pm, in part of Gaza City to remove the hostages from danger.
Trump says 'we will get it done' in the Middle East
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said there is "a real chance for greatness in the Middle East" without providing specific details or timetable, days after saying he was close to forging a deal to end the war in Gaza.
"We have a real chance for Greatness in the Middle East. All are on board for something special, first time ever. We will get it done," he said in a Truth Social post.
Mr Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tomorrow at the White House with the aim of reaching a framework for a deal, according to administration officials.
The US president said talks on Gaza with Middle Eastern nations were intense and that Israel and Hamas were aware of the discussions, which he said would continue as long as required.
Israel's military siege has caused a humanitarian catastrophe across Gaza.
Four health facilities in Gaza City have shut down this month, the World Health Organization has said. Some malnutrition centres have also closed, the UN says.
The World Food Programme estimates that between 350,000 and 400,000 Palestinians have fled Gaza City since last month, although hundreds of thousands remain.
Israeli attacks have killed more than 66,000 Palestinians since October 2023, according to Gaza health authorities.
The ministry's fatality figures have been deemed reliable by the United Nations.
The current stage of the war was triggered on 7 October 2023 when Hamas-led fighters stormed into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Israeli attacks and a humanitarian blockade have plunged the enclave into a humanitarian crisis, displaced nearly its entire population and left much of the territory in ruins.
Global hunger monitor IPC determined last month that an entirely man-made famine is currently taking place in Gaza, while UN human rights chief Volker Turk said the famine was the direct result of Israeli government policies.
Meanwhile, an independent UN commission concluded this month that Israel has committed and continues to commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
