The China Mail - Gaza civil defence says 17 killed in strikes after Israel says shots wounded officer

Despite a US-brokered truce entering its second phase last month, violence has continued in the Gaza Strip, with Israel and Hamas accusing each other of breaching the agreement.

The latest bloodshed came days after Israel partly reopened the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, the only exit for Gazans that does not pass through Israel.

The civil defence agency, which operates as a rescue service under Hamas authority, said the 17 people were killed in a series of strikes, with at least 31 others wounded.

Three bodies were brought to Nasser Hospital after Israeli strikes hit homes and tents housing displaced Palestinians in the southern Khan Yunis area, the agency said.

Fourteen more bodies were taken to Al-Shifa Hospital following similar strikes in Gaza City, the territory's largest urban centre, its director Mohamed Abu Salmiya said in a statement.

"We also received dozens of wounded. The situation is extremely difficult in the hospitals of the Gaza Strip due to the severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies," Abu Salmiya said.

Israel scrutinises all aid into besieged Gaza, a tiny coastal territory surrounded by fences and walls on all sides.

The Israeli military said it had launched strikes after "terrorists opened fire on troops" Wednesday, seriously wounding an officer, adding that it considers the incident a violation of the ceasefire.

It said the troops came under attack near the so-called "Yellow Line", beyond which Israeli forces are stationed in Gaza, without specifying which side of the line the troops were on.

- Limited opening of Rafah -

Following what was reportedly US pressure, Israel allowed the opening of the Rafah crossing, but limited passage to patients and their travel companions.

Sick and wounded Gazans began crossing into Egypt to seek medical treatment since Monday.

Shortly after midnight Wednesday, those meant to enter Tuesday entered Gaza through Rafah in a big bus, an AFP journalist reported.

Relatives of those returning from Egypt screamed in joy, hugging and crying.

"I am so happy to be back with my husband, my children, my family, my loved ones, and of course, my homeland", Fariza Barabakh, who returned that day, told AFP.

"It's an indescribable feeling, thank God. What can I say? My two young children didn't recognise me, but thank God. I hope it will be alright", Yusef Abu Fahma, another returnee, told AFP.

Abu Salmiya from Al-Shifa hospital said there were 20,000 patients in the territory in urgent need of treatment, including 4,500 children.

Gaza's health ministry says at least 523 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, while the Israeli military says four of its soldiers have been killed over the same period.

Saturday was among the deadliest days, with the civil defence agency reporting at least 32 people killed in Israeli attacks, which the military said were in response to a Hamas ceasefire violation.

Media restrictions and limited access in Gaza have prevented AFP from independently verifying casualty figures or freely covering the fighting.

US envoy Steve Witkoff, meanwhile, held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Tuesday, with the Israeli leader insisting that Hamas must be disarmed and the entire Gaza Strip demilitarised before any reconstruction can begin.

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S.Wilson--ThChM