Israeli strikes on Gaza kill at least 14 and destroy bulldozers need to clear rubble

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the strikes. The military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the group operates in densely populated areas.

At least 14 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza, officials in the Strip have said, adding that bulldozers and other heavy equipment that had been supplied by mediators to clear rubble had also been destroyed.Israel's 18-month offensive against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, raising fears that much of the enclave may never be rebuilt.The territory already had a shortage of heavy equipment, which is also needed to rescue people from the rubble after Israeli strikes and to clear vital roads.A municipality in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza said a strike on a parking garage destroyed nine bulldozers provided by Egypt and Qatar, which helped broker the ceasefire that took hold in January. The strikes also destroyed a water tanker and a mobile generator provided by aid groups and a truck used to pump sewage, the Jabaliya al-Nazla municipality said.There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the strikes. The military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the group operates in densely populated areas.Israel ended the truce last month, renewing its bombardment and ground operations and shutting the territory's two million Palestinians off from all imports, including food, fuel and medical supplies.Israel's air and ground war has killed over 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants.Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants in its military operation, without providing evidence.The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 people hostage.The group is still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.Hamas has said it will only free the remaining hostages in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and a lasting ceasefire.Israel has said it will keep fighting until the hostages are returned and Hamas has been either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile.