Israel strike in Gaza kills 20 Palestinians as mediators make new ceasefire push

Israeli air strikes early on Wednesday killed 20 Palestinians in central Gaza, including six children and three women, some of them inside a purported ‘safe zone’, hospital authorities said (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Israeli air strikes early on Wednesday killed 20 Palestinians in central Gaza, including six children and three women, some of them inside a purported “safe zone” declared by the Israeli military, hospital authorities said.

The second straight night of deadly strikes in the central town of Deir al-Balah and nearby refugee camps came as US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators as well as Israeli officials met in the Qatari capital, Doha, for talks aimed at agreeing a long-elusive deal for a ceasefire and hostage release.