GAZA CITY: Relentless Israeli airstrikes targeted the besieged Gaza Strip on Wednesday ahead of ceasefire talks that the United States hopes will stop Iran from attacking Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Iran and its allies blamed Israel for the July 31 killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran during a visit for the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian. Israel has not commented.
The latest wave of Israeli bombings comes amid heightened international efforts to broker a truce and avert a broader regional conflict involving Iran.
The West has urged Iran to stand down its threat to avenge his death, which came hours after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed a senior commander of Hezbollah.
The escalation has raised fears of a wider conflict after more than 10 months of war in Gaza, which has claimed nearly 40,000 Palestinian lives, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry in the territory.
On Wednesday, Israeli forces conducted multiple air strikes targeting sites across the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military reported over 40 sites struck in the past 24 hours. In one of the latest incidents, the Gaza civil defence agency recovered the bodies of four family members from the rubble of a bombed apartment in the Hamad residential complex, near Khan Younis.
Residents of the Nuseirat refugee camp also reported an Israeli missile strike that caused significant damage and Palestinian casualties.
The escalating violence follows a series of diplomatic developments aimed at de-escalating the situation. The United States is spearheading ceasefire talks scheduled for Thursday, seeking to address the ongoing hostilities that have raised fears of a wider regional conflict.
These talks are seen as critical in preventing potential retaliatory strikes from Iran, which has accused Israel of assassinating Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on July 31 in Tehran. Israel has not commented on the allegations.
The assassination of Haniyeh occurred shortly after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed a senior Hezbollah commander, further fueling tensions between Israel and Iran. Iran and its allies have expressed their intent to avenge Haniyeh’s death, leading to increased international concern over potential Iranian retaliation.
US President Joe Biden has publicly expressed hope that a ceasefire agreement could deter Iran from taking aggressive actions against Israel. During a press conference, Biden stated that while negotiations are challenging, he remains hopeful that a ceasefire could be achieved.
Biden emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that his envoy for the conflict, Amos Hochstein, had warned Lebanese officials about the need to act swiftly.
Western governments have issued travel advisories for Lebanon and are formulating evacuation plans for their nationals. A ferry stationed off Limassol, Cyprus, is on standby to assist in any necessary evacuations from the conflict zone.
In Israel, concerns about possible attacks from Hezbollah and Iran have led to heightened security measures. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art has moved its most valuable pieces, including works by Picasso and Klimt, to secure locations in response to the renewed threats.
The Biden administration has bolstered its support for Israel with the approval of over $20 billion in new weapons sales, including 50 F-15 fighter jets, and has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group and a guided missile submarine to the region.
Since October 7, Israel has launched a relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza killing at least 39,965 Palestinians, mostly women and children, the territory’s health ministry reported.
