Israel's military pounded central Gaza with heavy air strikes on Wednesday as international talks to secure a truce and hostage release deal resumed. The bloodiest ever Gaza war, sparked by Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel, raged on with jets bombing targets overnight and Palestinian officials reporting yet more deaths. Bombardment of central Gaza killed 11 people near the Al-Maghazi camp and two near Deir al-Balah, said witnesses and Palestinian officials. The source said Burns would "continue working with mediators on reaching an agreement between Hamas and Israel on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages". Amid the Gaza war, tensions have also spiralled elsewhere in the region between Israel and its allies on the one hand, and Iran-backed armed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen on the other.

Source: Hindustan Times June 06, 2024 01:16 UTC