Ceasefire plans stall as Israel intensifies Gaza strikes, Biden warns occupation would be a ‘big mistake’
- Israel and Hamas say no humanitarian ceasefire deal agreed in southern Gaza
- Gaza endures more heavy bombing as Israel’s military prepares ground attack
Hopes for a brief ceasefire in southern Gaza to allow foreign passport holders to leave the besieged Palestinian enclave and aid to be brought in were dashed on Monday, with Israeli bombardments intensifying ahead of an expected ground invasion.
Residents of Hamas-ruled Gaza said the overnight strikes were the heaviest yet in nine days of conflict. Many houses were flattened and the death toll rose inexorably, they said.
Diplomatic efforts have been under way to get aid into the enclave, which has endured unrelenting Israeli bombing since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants that killed 1,300 people – the bloodiest single day in the state’s 75-year history.
The Israeli military said on Monday that at least 199 hostages were taken back in Gaza, higher than previous estimates. The military did not specify if that number includes foreigners.
Israel has imposed a full blockade and is preparing a ground invasion to enter Gaza and destroy Hamas, which has continued to fire rockets at Israel since its brief cross-border assault. Israeli troops and tanks are already massed on the border.