Israel intensifies attacks on Gaza after truce ends

Gaza, The Gulf Observer: Renewed bombardment of Gaza stretched into a second day on Saturday after talks to extend a week-old truce with Hamas collapsed and mediators said Israeli bombardments were complicating attempts to again pause hostilities.

Eastern areas of Khan Younis in southern Gaza came under intense bombardment, with columns of smoke rising into the sky, Reuters journalists in the city said.

Gaza health officials said Israeli air strikes had killed 184 people, wounded at least 589 others and hit more than 20 houses.

Residents took to the road with belongings heaped up in carts, searching for shelter further west.

The warring sides blamed the other for the collapse of the truce by rejecting terms to extend the daily release of captives held by fighters in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

The United Nations said the fighting would worsen an extreme humanitarian emergency.