Israel intensifies bombing of Rafah, a dozen members of one family killed

(Patria) - Israel has intensified its bombing of Rafah in southern Gaza, and a dozen members of one family were killed in an airstrike, residents said.

The Ministry of Health announced that 29,313 people have been killed so far in the devastated Palestinian enclave.

Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz cited "promising early signs of progress" on a new deal to free hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza amid talks led by the US, Egypt and Qatar to secure a pause in the war.

The Israeli military (IDF) said it had intensified operations in Khan Younis, a city north of Rafah.

In its daily summary of events in Gaza, it did not mention attacks on Rafah itself and did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

An estimated one and a half million people are crammed into Rafah, on the southernmost edge of the enclave near the border with Egypt. Most of them have fled their homes further north to escape the Israeli military offensive.

The flow of aid entering Gaza from Egypt has almost dried up in the past two weeks, and a collapse in security has made it difficult to distribute any food that does get through, according to UN data and officials.

Israel has said it is preparing for a ground offensive in Rafah, despite growing international opposition, including from staunch allies like the US, due to fears for civilian lives.

Rafah residents contacted by SMS reported several Israeli airstrikes and large explosions in the city, as well as gunfire from naval ships on areas along the coast.

Reuters video journalists captured the aftermath of a strike on the Al-Noor family home in Rafah, which was reduced to rubble, showing more than a dozen bodies wrapped in white or black shrouds and grieving relatives at a hospital.

Abdulrahman Juma said his wife Noor, who was from the Al-Noor family, as well as his one-year-old daughter Kinza, were killed in the attack, along with Noor's parents, brother, and other relatives.

Israel says Hamas militants use civilian buildings as cover, which Hamas denies.