Israel-Gaza War Live Updates: Hours after Hamas attack, Israel urges evacuation of south Gaza town ahead of strike

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 85 Palestinians across Gaza overnight, according to local health officials. The attacks targeted multiple homes, killing men, women, and children as they slept. Following the strikes, the Israeli military restored a blockade on northern Gaza, including Gaza City, and warned residents against using the main highway, only allowing passage to the south.Israeli forces also launched a ground operation in northern Gaza near Beit Lahiya, which has been heavily damaged by previous strikes. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians had returned to their homes in the north after a January ceasefire, but Israel resumed airstrikes on Tuesday, breaking the truce. Israel blamed Hamas for the renewed fighting, accusing the group of rejecting a new proposal.The Trump administration, which helped broker the ceasefire, voiced full support for Israel. More than 400 Palestinians were killed on Tuesday alone, with the majority being women and children. No reports have emerged of Hamas carrying out attacks during this period.One of the strikes early Thursday hit the Abu Daqa family’s home in Abasan al-Kabira, killing at least 16 people, mostly women and children. Ground troops advanced in Gaza, seizing part of a corridor separating the north and south. Israel has vowed to intensify operations until Hamas releases 59 hostages, 35 of whom are believed dead.Since the war began in October 2023, Israeli airstrikes have killed nearly 49,000 Palestinians, with many civilians among the dead. The destruction in Gaza is immense, with large parts of the territory reduced to rubble.