������

An Israeli strike hit a school in Gaza City on Tuesday morning in an attack which claimed was targeting a Hamas "command and control centre" but has killed at least 12 civilians, according to local journalists.

Aerial shelling and gun battles were reported across Gaza, including in Rafah, Khan Younis and al-Bureij camp in central Gaza.

The attacks come as plans for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas remain at a cliff-edge, as mediators met in Cairo to hatch out final details.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that Israel had agreed to the “bridging proposal” and now awaited the Palestinian response. Hamas, which has said it supports a deal,  has expressed opposition to some of Israel’s latest demands which it says breaks a previous agreement.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah group and Israel continue to trade blows with Israeli jets striking an alleged weapons depot in the eastern Bekaa valley overnight on Monday, causing a large explosion and fire. Nine people were injured according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

Israel on Tuesday said its military recovered the bodies of six captives who had been held in Gaza since 7 October, among some 250 people who were taken by Hamas during the attack.