Israeli airstrikes kill journalists as Australia backs Palestinian statehood

AL JAZEERA CORRESPONDENT ANAS AL-SHARIF KILLED IN GAZA

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DEIR AL-BALAH: Israeli ground and air strikes hit northern and southern Gaza on Monday, killing aid-seekers as well as others sheltering in tents and homes as Israeli troops prepared for a broader campaign in the besieged territory.

Hospital officials reported that at least 34 people were killed on Monday, not including journalists who were slain in a tent shortly before midnight.

Among the dead were at least 12 aid seekers killed by Israeli gunfire while trying to reach distribution points, or awaiting aid convoys.

Relatives told The Associated Press that casualties included children and an infant. Witnesses to gunfire near the Morag corridor said they saw barrages of bullets and later dead bodies, describing the grim scene as a near-daily occurrence.

The military did not immediately respond to questions about the deaths. Earlier Monday, it said air and artillery units were operating in northern Gaza and in Khan Younis, where resident Noha Abu Shamala told AP that two drone strikes killed a family of seven in their apartment.