#RAFAH

Israeli airstrikes on three houses in the southern Gaza city of Rafah killed at least 20 Palestinians and wounded many others, medics said on Monday, as Egyptian and Qatari mediators were expected to hold a new round of ceasefire talks with Hamas leaders in Cairo.

The withdrawal comes as Egypt prepares to host a new round of talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that “Israel will continue its offensive against Hamas, including in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, despite increasing international pressure to halt.” Also on Thursday, a Hamas official announced that the Palestinian Islamist movement’s delegation was leaving Cairo, where it had arrived on Sunday for truce talks.