Representational.
Rafah: Israeli airstrikes on Sunday killed 16 people in Rafah, the southern city of Gaza, where around 1.4 million people reside, including refugees from other parts of the enclave. The attack was after rocket attacks by Hamas earlier on the day killed three Israeli soldiers, Agence France-Presse reported.
Medics and first responders to the airstrike informed AFP that the toll of "martyrs" in Rafah reached 16. Those killed include seven people from one family and nine from another.
According to medical sources, there were two strikes, and they hit different locations in the city.
Meanwhile, delegations from the Palestinian militant group Hamas and mediator Qatar arrived in the Egyptian capital on Sunday for additional negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Israel.
Along with announcing the arrival of a Hamas delegation in Cairo, Egypt's state-affiliated television al-Qahera News noted "significant progress" in the negotiations leading to the agreement. The broadcaster, citing what it termed as a high-level source, said the Egyptian security team engaged in the negotiations had reached a "consensus formula" on several contentious issues. No specific details were given.
Israel, meanwhile, is reportedly not sending a team to Cairo. A delegation will only be sent to Egypt once Hamas has responded to the current proposed ceasefire agreement, it is learnt.
On Sunday, the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon launched a barrage of rockets towards Israel following an Israeli strike on a southern village in Lebanon, which resulted in casualties.
The exchange of fire is part of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has escalated in recent weeks.
The strike by Israeli forces targeted Mais al-Jabal village in southern Lebanon, reportedly killing several members of a family. Lebanese authorities confirmed the casualties, identifying the victims as civilians, including children.