GAZA: Deadly fighting raged on in Gaza on Sunday, with no truce in sight on the eve of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and a dire humanitarian crisis gripping the besieged Palestinian territory.
Weeks of talks involving US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators have aimed for a six-week truce and the release of many of the about 100 captives Palestinian groups are still holding in return for prisoners held in Israeli jails, with no result so far.
The widely shared target had been to halt the fighting by the start of Ramadan, which is expected to begin Monday depending on the first sighting of the crescent moon.
Both sides have blamed each other for failing to reach a ceasefire deal so far, after Israel had demanded a full list of surviving captives, and Palestinians had called for Israel to pull out all its troops from Gaza.
US President Joe Biden reiterated Saturday that Israel has "a right to continue to pursue fighting groups", but also stressed his growing impatience with Israel's right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
As the civilian death toll has surged, Biden told broadcaster MSNBC Netanyahu "must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken".
At this stage, said Biden, Netanyahu's approach to the war was "hurting Israel more than helping Israel".
The comments came after Israeli protesters again took to the streets of Tel Aviv in growing anti-government rallies, joined by some of the desperate families and friends of the remaining captives.
Biden also signalled he would be willing to speak directly to the Israeli people through an address to the Knesset legislature, but without revealing any further plans or details.
Israel's withering bombardment and ground offensive have killed 31,045 people, mostly women and children, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Sunday.
It has also said at least 23 children have died from malnutrition and dehydration.
Inside Gaza, displaced Palestinians were lining up at a truck carrying scarce drinking water, which they filled into jerry cans and plastic containers.
Fighting and bombardment again rocked Gaza, where 81 bodies arrived overnight at barely functioning hospitals, according to the health ministry.
The Israeli troops were also engaged in "close-quarter combat" in the southern city of Khan Yunis, where strikes had killed 17 Palestinians.
The army has reported that 248 of its forces have died in Gaza.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Israel was preparing for "all possible operational scenarios" during Ramadan. — AFP
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