Israeli strikes on Gaza Strip kill at least 55 Palestinians

Officials in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, say the bodies of 14 people have been taken to Nasser Hospital-nine of them from the same family

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Overnight strikes by Israel killed at least 55 people across the Gaza Strip, hospital officials said on Thursday, a day after senior government officials said Israel would seize large areas of Gaza and establish a new security corridor across the Palestinian territory.

Israel has vowed to escalate the nearly 18-month war with Hamas until the group returns dozens of remaining hostages, disarms and leaves the territory.

Israel has imposed a month-long halt on all imports of food, fuel and humanitarian aid that has left civilians facing acute shortages as supplies dwindle.

Officials in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the strip, said the bodies of 14 people had been taken to Nasser Hospital - nine of them from the same family.

The dead included five children and four women. The bodies of another 19 people, including five children aged between I and 7 years and a pregnant woman, were taken to the European hospital near Khan Younis, hospital officials said.

In Gaza City, 21 bodies were taken to Ahli hospital, including those of seven children.