In Gaza, hopes of pause in violence fade as IDF sends in more troops

Israel has launched new airstrikes and sent more troops into action in Gaza, dashing brief hopes among some in the territory that the killing of the Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, could bring an end to the conflict.

- Jason Burke, Malak A Tantesh

Sinwar, 62, was killed on Thursday by tank fire directed at a building in Rafah in the far south of Gaza after exchanging fire with an Israeli patrol.

Several airstrikes were reported overnight and yesterday morning. At least 62 deaths have been recorded since Thursday, according to the Palestinian health authorities in Gaza.

The most intense recent clashes have come in Jabaliya, the largest of Gaza's eight long-standing refugee camps and the site of fierce fighting in recent weeks between Israeli forces and Hamas militants who have regrouped there. Tens of thousands of civilians are thought to be trapped in Jabaliya, where conditions are deteriorating.

Israeli military officials said Israel was sending reinforcements to bolster its operation in Jabaliya, raising the prospect of further violence.

"We always thought that when [Sinwar was killed] the war would end and our lives would return to normal," said Jemaa Abou Mendi, 21, in Gaza. "But unfortunately, the reality on the ground is quite the opposite. The war has not stopped, and the killings continue unabated."