ISRAELI STRIKES KILL 33, UNSC TO MEET OVER CRISIS

Israeli strikes destroyed the home of a Hamas’ leader in the Gaza Strip and killed 26 Palestinians Sunday, as the UN Security Council prepared to meet amid global alarm at the escalating conflict.

The heaviest fighting since 2014, sparked by unrest in Jerusalem, saw the rivals again trade heavy fire, with the death toll rising to 181 in the crowded coastal enclave of Gaza and to 10 in Israel since Monday, according to authorities on either side.

Israel said Sunday morning its “continuing wave of strikes” had in the past 24 hours struck over 90 targets across Gaza, where the destruction of a building housing news media organisations sparked international outcry.

UN Secretary-general Antonio Guterres was “dismayed” by civilian casualties in Gaza and “deeply disturbed” by Israel’s strike on Saturday on the tower housing the Associated Press and Al Jazeera bureaus, a spokesperson said.