Almost 70 reported killed as fighting continues in Gaza

Dozens of people have been killed in ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials have said.

A total of 68 people were killed within 24 hours, the Gaza health authority, whose figures don't distinguish between civilians and combatants, said.

The Israeli military said it forces had eliminated dozens of militants in close combat and in airstrikes during the past day, including a commander of the intelligence unit of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militia.

It was not possible to independently verify the claims by either side.

The Israeli army said the man had been involved in the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, which resulted resulted in 1,200 deaths and triggered the current conflict.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, at least 40,602 people have been killed and 98,855 injured in the Palestinian coastal area, according to Gaza health authorities.