Death toll from Israeli air strikes in Gaza climbs to 12

Israeli air strikes have killed at least 12 Palestinians across Gaza, sparking fears among residents that new attacks and forced evacuations in the enclave’s northern areas may be aimed at creating buffer zones.

Medics reported that seven people died in a strike on two houses in Beit Lahiya, in northern Gaza, while five others were killed in separate attacks in the central and southern parts of the territory.