At least 68 killed in central Gaza in airstrike, adding to weekend's bloodshed
Deir Al-Balah (PTI): At least 68 people were killed by an Israeli strike in central Gaza, health officials said Sunday, while the number of Israeli soldiers killed in combat over the weekend rose to 15.
Associated Press journalists at a nearby hospital watched frantic Palestinians carry the dead, including a baby, and wounded following the strike on the Maghazi refugee camp east of Deir al-Balah. One bloodied young girl looked stunned while her body was checked for broken bones.
The 68 fatalities include at least 12 women and seven children, according to early hospital figures.
"We were all targeted," said Ahmad Turokmani, who lost several family members including his daughter and grandson. "There is no safe place in Gaza anyway."
Earlier, the Health Ministry in Gaza gave the death toll as 70. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.
As Christmas Eve fell, smoke rose over the besieged territory, while in the West Bank Bethlehem was hushed, its holiday celebrations called off. In neighbouring Egypt, tentative efforts continued on a deal for another exchange of hostages for Palestinians held by Israel.
The war has devastated parts of Gaza, killed roughly 20,400 Palestinians and displaced almost all of the territory's 2.3 million people.
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Two of family killed after car crashes into roadside tree in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Two people of a family died while four others were seriously injured after their car crashed into a tree on the outskirts of the city, police said on Friday.
The deceased were identified as Harish Sastry (39) and his father Veerabhadra (80), they said.
According to police, the accident occurred at around 6 pm on December 25 at Thotagere Cross in Nelamangala taluk of Bengaluru Rural district when the family was returning home after visiting their village.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit the tree.
While Harish and Veerabhadra died on the spot, other members of the family sustained severe injuries and are admitted to a private hospital in Nelamangala, where they are undergoing treatment, a senior police officer said.
A case was registered and further investigation is underway.
