Ahead of a proposed three-day truce, Israeli strikes killed 17 Palestinians, including 10 from one family, in Gaza. Heavy shelling was reported as a cease-fire deal, brokered by the U.S. and UN, was set to begin.
Palestinian officials say 17 Palestinians, including 10 members of one family, were killed in Israeli strikes ahead of a planned three-day cease-fire in the Gaza war.
Health official Ashraf al-Kidra says the family members were killed in an airstrike early Friday on their home in the southern town of Khan Younis. Gaza police reported heavy Israeli tank shelling in northern and eastern Gaza.
The cease-fire was to take effect at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) Friday, under a deal brokered by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the United Nations. During the lull, Egypt is to host indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Cairo on a more durable truce.
More than 1,450 Palestinians have been killed since July 8, officials say. Israel lost 61 soldiers and three civilians.