Gaza civil defence says 32 killed in Israeli operations
Israel has recently expanded its military operations in the Gaza Strip, where the war has created dire humanitarian conditions for the Palestinian territory's population of more than two million.
Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency.
Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said Saturday's dead included eight people killed in two strikes on schools in Gaza City.
Israeli military kills 15 in Gaza as Trump waits for Hamas response to ceasefire proposal
Many Gazans have sought shelter in schools and other public buildings since Palestine Israel war began.
Bassal also reported that eight people were killed by Israeli fire near an aid distribution centre in southern Gaza.
Contacted by AFP, the Israeli military said it could not comment on specific attacks without precise coordinates.
The latest strikes came hours after Hamas said it was ready to start talks 'immediately' on a US-sponsored proposal for a Gaza ceasefire.
An Israeli official told AFP that 'no decision has been made yet' when asked about Hamas's positive response to the latest ceasefire proposal.
It came ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's departure for talks on Monday in Washington, where US President Donald Trump has intensified calls for an end to the war.
Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed more than 57,000 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The United Nations considers its figures reliable.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Vietnam Q2 GDP growth quickens
Listen to article Vietnam's economy grew at a faster pace in the second quarter of this year led by strong exports, in an encouraging sign just days after US President Donald Trump said he would place lower-than-threatened 20% tariffs on many Vietnamese products. Concerns over the Southeast Asian manufacturing hub's outlook had been growing in the run up to the trade deal announced on Wednesday, particularly as the United States is Vietnam's biggest export market. Gross domestic product growth in the April-June quarter accelerated to 7.96% year-on-year, from the 6.93% in the first quarter, government data showed on Saturday. It was just short of Hanoi's full-year growth target of at least 8%. "Economic performance in the first half of this year was positive and close to our target amid global and regional economic uncertainties," the National Statistics Office said. Exports were a bright spot in the last quarter, rising 18.0% to $116.93 billion from a year earlier, while imports were up 18.8% at $112.52 billion, translating into a trade surplus of $4.41 billion, the NSO data showed. Industrial production in the period rose 10.3%, while June consumer prices rose 3.57%. Trump announced on Wednesday the United States and Vietnam reached a trade deal, under which Vietnamese goods would face a 20% tariff, with trans-shipments from third countries through Vietnam also facing a 40% levy. Vietnam could import US products with a zero percent tariff. The tariff rates were lower than an initial 46% rate threatened by Trump in April. Vietnam hailed the deal as a boost for business and said negotiators were working to finalise details, as business groups awaited clarity on the finer points to assess the impact of the new tariffs. The United States is the largest export market for Vietnam, a regional manufacturing hub housing several multinational companies such as Samsung Electronics and Foxconn. The United States recorded a trade deficit of $123 billion with Vietnam last year, one of its highest globally. Fitch Solutions said in a note on Friday that Vietnam's exports and investment will remain strong for the rest of the year and signalled upside risks for its 2025 GDP growth forecast of 6.4%. "With the new 20% tariff, we think the government will speed up industrial upgrading and shift exports from low-margin goods to higher value-added products such as semiconductors," it said in a note.
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
OPEC+ adds 548,000 bpd in August
Listen to article OPEC+ agreed on Saturday to raise production by 548,000 barrels per day in August, further accelerating output increases at its first meeting since oil prices jumped – and then retreated – following Israeli and US attacks on Iran. The group, which pumps about half of the world's oil, has been curtailing production since 2022 to support the market. But it has reversed course this year to regain market share and as US President Donald Trump demanded the group pump more to help keep gasoline prices lower. The August increase represents a jump from monthly increases of 411,000 bpd OPEC+ had approved for May, June and July, and 138,000 bpd in April. OPEC+ cited a steady global economic outlook and healthy market fundamentals, including low oil inventories, as reasons for releasing more oil. The group of eight OPEC+ members will next meet on August 3.
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Islamabad, Warsaw set to deepen ties in key sectors
Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe) Ambassador Muhammad Ayub meets Secretary of State at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski during the 9th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Warsaw on July 4, 2025. Photo courtesy: X Pakistan and Poland have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation through high-level visits, parliamentary exchanges, and sustained dialogue, as the two countries seek to broaden engagement across multiple sectors. The understanding was reached during the 9th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) held in Warsaw on July 4. Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe) Ambassador Muhammad Ayub led the Pakistani delegation, while Poland's Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski, headed the Polish side. The two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to boosting collaboration in trade, investment, energy, defence, science and technology, agriculture, migration, and higher education. Pakistani Ambassador to Poland Muhammad Sami-ur-Rehman and Polish Ambassador to Pakistan Maciej Pisarski also attended the talks. Regional and global developments, including those in South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, were discussed in detail. Both delegations noted alignment on key issues and agreed to continue working closely at multilateral forums, including the United Nations. It was agreed that the next round of consultations will be held in Islamabad in 2026.
