Israeli Ground Assault on Gaza Kills 151 Overnight

A few days after launching heavy airstrikes, Israel began a ground attack on Gaza on Sunday night. Reports say 151 people were killed in the overnight assault, and hospitals in the area have been forced to shut down.

The attack happened even as international efforts were underway to bring peace to Gaza. On Saturday, indirect talks between Hamas and Israeli officials had started in Doha. On Sunday, Israel demanded that Hamas surrender, but it seems unlikely that Hamas will agree.

Earlier, media reports said Hamas had agreed to release 7 to 9 hostages in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of three Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. However, Hamas senior leader Abu Zuhri later denied the reports, saying they were not true.

On Friday, Israel launched a military operation named "Gideon’s Charities," which officials said was aimed at pressuring Hamas to join the peace talks.