Israel presses on in Gaza as world awaits response to Iran attack
Israel bombed war-battered Gaza, Hamas said yesterday, as world leaders awaited Israel’s reaction but urged de-escalation after Iran’s unprecedented attack that heightened fears of wider conflict.
World powers have called for restraint after Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel late Saturday, though the Israeli military has said nearly all were intercepted.
Tehran’s first direct assault on Israel, in retaliation for a deadly April 1 strike on its Damascus embassy consular annex, followed months of violence across the region involving Iranian proxies and allies who say they act in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
No decision has been made on how, when – or if – Israel could respond to the Iran attack, local media said, reporting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would meet with his war cabinet later yesterday.
Tensions in Iran “weaken the regime and rather serve Israel,” the newspaper Israel Hayom said, adding that this suggested
Israeli leaders would not rush to retaliate.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has warned that a “reckless” Israeli move would spark a “much stronger response”.
Tehran has insisted the attack on Israel was an act of “self-defence” after the Damascus strike that killed seven Revolutionary Guards including two generals.
Attention has also turned to Israel’s top ally, the United States, which played a key role in shooting down the Iranian drones. While US President Joe Biden has been increasingly critical of the civilian death toll in Gaza, after the Iran attack he reaffirmed Washington’s “ironclad” support for Israel.
But Biden has been pushing for caution from Israel, telling Netanyahu that the White House would not offer military support for any retaliation against Iran, according to a senior US official.
The Israeli military said it would not be distracted from its war against Hamas in Gaza, triggered by the Palestinian armed group’s October 7 attack on Israel.
Israel estimates that 129 hostages, including 34 presumed dead, remain in the hands of Palestinian militants since the attack six months ago.
The Hamas government media office said Israeli aircraft and tanks launched “dozens” of strikes overnight on central Gaza, reporting several casualties.
Witnesses told AFP that strikes hit the Nuseirat refugee camp, with clashes also reported in other areas of central and northern Gaza. (AFP)