Hundreds Killed as Israel Steps Up Gaza Strikes Despite Ceasefire Hope

Israel has escalated its offensive in Gaza before imminent talks about a ceasefire, with warships and artillery launching one of the deadliest and most intense bombardments in the devastated Palestinian territory for many months.

- Jason Burke

Medics and officials in Gaza reported that about 90 people were killed overnight on Wednesday and yesterday, including many women and children. On Tuesday night and Wednesday the toll was higher, they said. Casualties included Marwan al-Sultan, a cardiologist and director of the Indonesian hospital in northern Gaza, who died in an airstrike that also killed his wife and five children.

In all, officials say about 300 people may have been killed this week, and thousands more injured.

Despite the new wave of violence in Gaza, hopes of a ceasefire have risen after Donald Trump's announcement on Tuesday that Israel had accepted the terms of a potential deal with Hamas. The deal would involve a 60-day initial pause in hostilities, a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of some of the hostages still held by Hamas.

Israel's security cabinet was scheduled to meet last night to decide whether to move swiftly towards an agreement with Hamas or order further military escalation. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, is due to fly to Washington on Sunday for talks with Trump and senior US officials. They are expected to discuss a ceasefire, the recent war between Israel and Iran, and possibilities for ambitious regional agreements.

This week, Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's foreign minister, described "positive signs" for a ceasefire and the energy minister, Eli Cohen, told the news website Ynet that there was "definitely readiness to advance a deal".