US stresses safety for Gaza civilians as Israel unrelenting in attacks

Palestinians bury their relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, at a cemetery in Rafah, southern Gaza, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. Picture: AP Photo/Fatima Shbair

A US security envoy had talks with Israel about shifting its strategy in Gaza toward surgical operations against Hamas and away from a broad ground campaign, as Palestinians reported heavy attacks along the narrow coastal strip on Friday.

Israeli tanks and planes intensified their bombardment of the northern Gaza, as well as Khan Younis and Rafah in the south of the enclave, residents, authorities and media said.