Israeli tanks push towards heart of Gaza City as Trump talks peace

At least 20 killed as Israeli air strikes hit shelter housing displaced families

- 

Smoke rising from an Israeli strike in the central Gaza Strip on Sept 24, as displaced Palestinians flee towards the south due to an Israeli military operation in Gaza City.

(REUTERS)

Israeli forces pushed towards the heart of Gaza City on Sept 24, placing at risk the lives of Palestinians who had stayed put in the hope that growing pressure on Israel for a ceasefire would mean they would not lose their homes.

US President Donald Trump met leaders of Muslim countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept 23 for talks which the Emirati state news agency said focused on a permanent ceasefire in the war as well as the release of Israeli hostages, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Mr Trump, who earlier condemned moves by several Western countries to put pressure on Israel by recognising a Palestinian state, said a meeting with Israel would be next.

Israel has pressed on with its military campaign on Gaza City despite repeated calls for it to pull back, urging the population to move south.

Hundreds of thousands have left the city in northern Gaza but many others have hesitated because of security risks and widespread hunger.

"We moved to the western area near the beach, but many families didn’t have the time — tanks took them by surprise," said Mr Thaer, a 35-year-old father of one from Tel Al-Hawa.