No fewer than 20 people have been killed, including several children, since early Wednesday morning in the Gaza Strip in renewed Israeli attacks, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

WAFA, citing Gaza medical sources, also reported that there were airstrikes and fatalities in Jabalia and Deir al-Balah, as well as near Khan Younis in the south of the territory.

The information, however, could not be independently verified as the Israeli army had not yet provided any information on the matter.

Dozens of deaths have been reported daily from the coastal area after Israel’s military launched a major new offensive late last week.

Ground troops are now also deployed in the area, with Israel’s actions in the region facing increasing international criticism, including from close allies.

On Tuesday, the United Kingdom suspended trade talks with Israel, sanctioned some West Bank settlers and summoned Israel’s ambassador to the UK.

Also on Tuesday, EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said that the European Union intends to review its cooperation agreement with Israel in view of the situation in Gaza.

The current conflict began on October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian Islamist Hamas militia and others invaded Israel, killing 1,200 and taking some 250 hostage.

Israel responded with a massive attack, which has since killed more than 53,000 in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority.

The figures do not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties.

(dpa/NAN)