Israeli airstrikes kill 19 in Gaza ahead of Blinken visit

CAIRO — Israeli strikes killed 19 people in Gaza on Sunday, including six children, Palestinian health authorities said, ahead of a visit to the region by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to try to push forward cease-fire talks.

The children and their mother were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in the central town of Deir al-Balah, health officials said.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, but they said the strike destroyed rocket launchers used to hit Israel from the southern city of Khan Younis, the scene of intense fighting in recent weeks, and killed 20 Palestinian fighters.

Diplomatic efforts to halt the current conflict and secure a deal to return hostages held in Gaza have intensified in recent days. Talks mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States are set to continue this week in the Egyptian capital Cairo, following a two-day meeting in Doha last week.

Blinken is making his 10th trip to the region since the conflict began, days after the US put forward bridging proposals that the mediating countries believe would close gaps between the warring parties.

He is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials.

Netanyahu's office said on Saturday there was "cautious optimism" a deal could be reached and US officials have also been positive, while cautioning there was still work to be done.

However, Hamas said optimistic US comments were "deceptive" and accused Netanyahu of making new conditions in an attempt to "blow up" the negotiation.

Agencies via Xinhua