Gaza deaths tops 24K as Israel continues attacks

Smoke billows over Khan Yunis during bombardment. Pic/AP

Israeli strikes hit Gaza City and soldiers battled militants in southern Gaza on Monday after the U.S., its top ally, said it was time to scale back operations. Palestinian authorities said the death toll in the enclave passed 24,000.

South Africa has accused Israel of genocide in the war against Hamas, an allegation Israel has rejected. Although the full case is likely to take years to resolve, the United Nations' top court could rule within weeks on South Africa's request for an order of an immediate suspension of Israel's offensive. It's unclear if Israel would comply with any court order.

Displaced Palestinians play next to the border with Egypt. Pic/AP

Israeli warplanes, on Sunday, struck targets in Lebanon following a Hezbollah missile attack that killed two Israeli civilians - an older woman and her adult son - in northern Israel. The exchange of fire underscored concerns that the Gaza violence could trigger wider fighting across the region.

Meanwhile, the White House said Sunday that "it's the right time" for Israel to scale back its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, as Israeli leaders again vowed to press ahead with their operation against the territory's ruling Hamas militant group. The comments exposed the growing differences between the close allies on the 100th day of the war.

A rainbow seen across the sky amid ongoing battles. Pic/AP

Houthi rebels fire missile at US warship in Red Sea

Yemen's Houthi rebels fired an anti-ship cruise missile toward an American destroyer in the Red Sea on Sunday, but a US fighter jet shot it down in the latest attack roiling global shipping amid Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza S trip, officials said. The attack marks the first US-acknowledged fire by the Houthis since America and allied nations began strikes Friday on the rebels following weeks of assaults on shipping in the Red Sea.

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