Deadly strikes pound Gaza as Israel PM vows to ramp up pressure

Israel continued its air strikes on Gaza on Wednesday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to intensify pressure on Hamas, with hopes for a US-announced ceasefire plan fading.

 

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh accused Israel of deliberately undermining truce and hostage release negotiations to prolong the war.

 

The Israeli military reported conducting 25 strikes in 24 hours, targeting “military structures, terrorist infrastructure, terrorist cells, and rigged structures.” Troops are also conducting precise, intelligence-based operations around Rafah in southern Gaza.

 

Netanyahu, committed to destroying Hamas, reiterated on Tuesday that despite international pressure, Israel would not relent in its campaign. “This is exactly the time to increase the pressure even more, to bring home all the hostages – the living and the dead – and to achieve all the war objectives,” he said.

 

The health ministry in Gaza reported 52 deaths, mostly women and children, from Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours. The UN humanitarian office OCHA noted that multiple strikes on Tuesday killed and wounded dozens. Gaza’s civil defense agency reported 30 deaths from strikes in the Nuseirat refugee camp, including hits on a UN-run school, a house, and a mosque.

 

### TALKS DEADLOCK

 

In southern Gaza, two people were killed in the Shakush area near Rafah, according to Nasser Hospital. Over 90 percent of Gazans have been displaced, many seeking refuge in UN-run schools, seven of which have been struck since July 6. Nearly 70 percent of these schools have been damaged during the conflict, according to UNRWA.

 

“Why do they target us when we are innocent people?” asked Umm Mohammed al-Hasanat, sheltering at a UN-run school in Nuseirat.

 

The US has been pushing for a truce since President Joe Biden outlined an Israeli ceasefire roadmap on May 31. However, Egyptian and Qatari-mediated indirect negotiations have stalled. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh blamed Israel for the deadlock, asserting that Hamas had responded positively to mediation efforts, but Israel avoided reaching an agreement.

 

Following a senior Hamas official’s statement on Sunday about withdrawing from current talks due to Israeli strikes, Haniyeh indicated readiness to return if Israel’s stance changes.

 

### HOSTAGE FAMILIES DEMAND DEAL

 

The conflict began with Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, resulting in 1,195 deaths, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures. Hamas also took 251 hostages, with 116 still in Gaza, including 42 deceased, according to the Israeli military. Israel’s response has killed at least 38,713 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry.

 

Critics in Israel, including large numbers of demonstrators, have accused Netanyahu of extending the war. Families of five Israeli women soldiers among the hostages implored the prime minister to “make the deal happen.”

 

“We are waiting for a face-to-face meeting with you (Netanyahu) to ensure that the negotiations are moving towards a signed deal,” said Ayelet Levy, whose daughter was abducted on October 7.

 

Meanwhile, ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters clashed with police near Tel Aviv after the Israeli military announced plans to issue draft notices to men in the community, historically exempt from compulsory military service. The call-up is due to manpower strains from the Gaza war and a potential conflict with Hezbollah.